Abstract
This study reports the therapeutic treatment of an electively mute 10 year old girl with a WISC-R I. Q. of 99. In her school situation she does not speak at all. She has severe muscle tension and therefore is unable to move without help. Tha child received 27 small group sessions at the Child Guidance and Welfara Center over a 5 month period. The purpose of these sessions was to establish a firm close relationship with the therapist and to impart social and interpersonal ralationship skills which tha child completely lacked. These sessions continued with 25 additional sessions at the school site over a 41/2 month period. The school site sessions involved desensitization and successive approximation. During the first stages of the school site treatment, the child always held the therapist's hand. Gradually her dependence on this security lessened and her scope of activities broadened so that she was able to do things by herself. Active speech was shaped beginning with an exchanher teacher. After she began speaking with her teacher, communication by letters took place classmates. Eventually the child was able to move and speak in a relaxed and free manner. The principle factors leading to the success of the therapy in spite of the intense strain the school situation seem to be (1) in the school setting the child was accompanied by the therapist with whom she had a close relationshp ; (2) the therapist required the child to move to reduce her anxiety ; and (3) the exchange of letters led up to direct conversation.
