What is Escape-Avoidance Procedure

Selective mutism is a disorder that is characterized by a failure to speak in certain social settings, like the school, while speaking normally in other settings, like home. The settings in which the failure to speak occur are those where speech is expected from the individual. It is a disorder that onsets in childhood, and if left untreated, may go well into adolescence. For a very long time, this disorder has been overlooked and understudied. Though rare, the disorder may pose a potential threat to the social and academic development of a child suffering from it. The DSM-5 has classified selective mutism as an anxiety disorder. The present chapter intends to cover the psychosocial approach to the disorder, the diagnostic criteria, the etiology, the treatment of the disorder, and the management by respective caregivers. An analysis of case studies has also been given in the chapter.