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Selective mutism and OT

I am studying OT and my daughter was diagnosed with SM 2 years ago (she will be 6yo in Feb). She was referred to SALT and OT was never mentioned during the intervention. And thats my question: why OT is not supporting kids with SM. OT might work with someone who lives with SM but thats not the reason for referral.

I am trying to find some literature around OT and SM but I am struggling. Any idea where to find it?

Thank you!

4 answers3 replies

7 Comments

Kristina Marchiori

Oct 21, 2020

I'm not sure if I'm speaking for everyone, but in my experience as a pediatric occupational therapist, all of my referals from doctors or parent groups have been for the "typical" pediatric OT things, like handwriting, fine motor skills and the sensory aspect of autism. Whenever I have children with other things such as help with toilet training, behavioural challenges etc, it is ALWAYS from a teacher who has worked with an OT before.

I personally don't think that doctors and parents know a lot about the wide range that OT's can work with (and most people don't!) It is definitely one of the flaws of our profession. Even when I did my student placement in an acute hospital unit, we were always referred to as physios with a solid one or two roles we were expected to do.

SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class research journals

this journal article talks about selective mutism and behavioural modification, assisting with alternative forms of communication, therapy for school problems, and play therapy - if you find the OT that will do these practices (sadly often has to be private practice) OT can definitely help with SM in my opinion!

Iwona Samoraj

Oct 27, 2020

Replying to

Thank you for your opinion! I completely agree, not many people know what OT is actually doing- even other professionals (which is somehow sad!).

Thank you for the article.

I would like an ot to work with my daughter...

Helen Potts

Oct 20, 2020

I am also currently studying (Year 2) and have been thinking the same thing since last year when I had a community engagement project at a school. There was a child who had suspected SM and I chose his situation for my case study assignment. Interesting to think about some of the barriers to occupation and the potential for OT and SLT joint working!

happyone701

Oct 19, 2020

Hub Team

Oct 16, 2020

Hi Iwona. Thanks for reaching out to fellow Members. Happy for us to bring this to their attention across our social networks (likely to get speedier responses)?

Iwona Samoraj

Oct 16, 2020

Replying to

Yes please! That would be great! Thank you!

happyone701

Oct 19, 2020

Replying to

@Iwona Samoraj , when my friend was looking at options for her child with SM, she often ended up being her own advocate and finding her way to her team of people who could help person by person. Knowing her child and being an OT, we talked about how interoception may be helpful to recognize and cope with the messages the body was sending to help with function. Who knew within 6 months she would not only follow her curriculum but have Kelly Mahler on a summit on the topic! So your instincts are spot on.

I can say that parents in the selective mutism support community did not know about OT mostly, unfortunately. And, because not a lot of research exists on that particular topic her recognition that OT really improved the entire family’s function as they navigate selective mutism was sometimes met with great skepticism or negating it as true because the literature isn’t out there. So one idea is to reach out to Kelly Melhorn or Kelly Mahler— both may be able to point you to more information.

It seems it is a lesser understood or referenced diagnosis to some OTs but I would say like any function we see— once you know the person, family and their context we as OTs have plenty of options and mindset that can help with selective mutism. Kelly Melhorn is a parent who founded Selective Mutism HELP so that she could assemble some of the expert voices in the field she found helpful to make it easier for families and health care members alike to learn about what works and what makes things worse.

There are several speakers you will likely enjoy here— including OT, Kelly Mahler. Hope this helps! Having an event organized by a parent is especially helpful so hope this contributes to the answers you seek!

Selective mutism and OT

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