What causes mutism

Mutism may be caused by psychological trauma, language developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, selective mutism, brain damage, and other factors. Mutism is characterized by the inability to communicate normally in specific or all situations, and intervention measures should be taken based on the specific cause.

1. Psychological trauma

Strong emotional impact or long-term psychological pressure may lead to temporary language function suppression. Commonly seen in children who experience domestic violence, school bullying, or adults who experience major accidents or the death of loved ones. This type of situation requires non pharmacological interventions such as psychological counseling and sandplay therapy to help patients rebuild their sense of security. If necessary, anti anxiety medication can be used as an adjuvant therapy according to medical advice.

2. Language developmental disorders

Specific language disorders or hearing impairments can affect language output ability. Children may exhibit symptoms such as limited vocabulary and grammar confusion, which need to be improved through language rehabilitation training. Early detection with articulation training and auditory integration therapy can help with recovery, and in severe cases, neurological developmental abnormalities should be ruled out.

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder

Social communication disorders are the core feature, and some children may experience complete silence. These patients often exhibit stereotyped behavior and require intervention through the application of behavioral analysis therapy. Sensory integration training can improve sensory perception abnormalities, while social storytelling therapy can help understand communication scenarios.

4. Selective mutism

is more common in school-age children, who may remain silent in specific situations such as school, but can communicate normally at home. Related to anxiety constitution, progressive exposure therapy is required. Families need to cooperate in creating a low-pressure environment, schools can implement token based behavior reinforcement, and severe cases require short-term combined antidepressant treatment.

5. Brain injury

Damage to the temporal lobe or Broca area may lead to acquired mutism, commonly seen in the aftermath of traumatic brain injury and stroke. The primary disease needs to be treated first, followed by language rehabilitation therapy. Computer assisted cognitive training can promote neural remodeling, and physical therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation may improve language function.

It is advisable to avoid forcing patients to speak in daily life and establish communication through nonverbal means. Parents need to observe and record the scenes and frequency of silence, and provide alternative channels of expression such as painting and writing. Maintaining a balanced diet can help repair the nervous system, and it is recommended to supplement foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids appropriately. If silence persists for more than a month or is accompanied by other abnormal behaviors, it is recommended to seek professional evaluation from a cardiology or neurology department as soon as possible.