Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Selective Mutism (SM) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We conducted an individual questionnaire survey of kindergarten and elementary school teachers about the children with SM (n=17), children with ASD (n=12) and children with Typical Development (TD) (n=12) in their classes. The questionnaire included screening tests for SM, using the Selective Mutism Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R), and ASD, using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). The results showed that in the SMQ-R, the scores for children with SM were significantly higher than those for other children. Meanwhile, in the AQ, the children with SM and ASD scored significantly higher than the children with TD, but no difference was observed between the two. This suggests that many children with SM are likely to show ASD traits. In future, to support children with SM, we need to find effective approaches to both the SM and ASD aspects of their condition.
