Vocal Communication in Individuals who Experience Selective Mutism

Abstract

We conducted an interview survey, a questionnaire survey, and a conversation experiment with those who experience Selective Mutism (SM), to clarify their difficulties in social situations and the characteristics of their speech behavior. Those who experience SM continued to have difficulties with speech even after they no longer met the diagnostic criteria for SM, suggesting that speech difficulties affect social interaction. In the experimental situation, those who experience SM were found to have a longer reaction latency. The long response latency may be a barrier to vocal communication in everyday situations as well. Future work is needed to clarify the environmental factors that influence the speech behavior of those who experience SM.