Pre-Service Teachers' Knowledge of Selective Mutism

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

9-4-2012 1:00 PM

End Date

9-4-2012 2:30 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Nicole Enfield

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second Mentor's Name

Carlos Panahon

Second Mentor's Department

Psychology

Second Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Selective mutism is characterized by refusal to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speech (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The aim of this project was to ascertain pre-service teachers’ knowledge about selective mutism. It was hypothesized that teachers know very little about this topic because the current prevalence rate is under 1%. This reported statistic is thought to be lower than the actual prevalence rate because individuals working within the school setting are unfamiliar with this childhood disorder. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness on this subject so that students with selective mutism may be identified and referred for treatment by their teachers. Selective mutism has been reported to be easily treatable.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato completed an online survey pertaining to selective mutism, including characteristics that children with the disorder may exhibit, warning signs or symptoms, effective treatments, and its prevalence rate. Descriptive analyses were conducted on the pre-service teachers’ responses. Implications and areas for future research will be discussed.

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Apr 9th, 1:00 PM Apr 9th, 2:30 PM

Pre-Service Teachers' Knowledge of Selective Mutism

CSU Ballroom

Selective mutism is characterized by refusal to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speech (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The aim of this project was to ascertain pre-service teachers’ knowledge about selective mutism. It was hypothesized that teachers know very little about this topic because the current prevalence rate is under 1%. This reported statistic is thought to be lower than the actual prevalence rate because individuals working within the school setting are unfamiliar with this childhood disorder. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness on this subject so that students with selective mutism may be identified and referred for treatment by their teachers. Selective mutism has been reported to be easily treatable.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato completed an online survey pertaining to selective mutism, including characteristics that children with the disorder may exhibit, warning signs or symptoms, effective treatments, and its prevalence rate. Descriptive analyses were conducted on the pre-service teachers’ responses. Implications and areas for future research will be discussed.

Recommended Citation

Spencer, Daniel. "Pre-Service Teachers' Knowledge of Selective Mutism." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 9, 2012.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2012/poster-session-B/38