Selective mutism and comorbidity with developmental disorder/delay, anxiety disorder, and elimination disorder

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the comorbidity of developmental disorder/delay in children with selective mutism (SM) and to assess other comorbid symptoms such as anxiety, enuresis, and encopresis.

Method: Subjects with SM and their matched controls were evaluated by a comprehensive assessment of the child and by means of a parental structured diagnostic interview with focus on developmental history. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-IV.

Results: A total of 54 children with SM and 108 control children were evaluated. Of the children with SM, 68.5% met the criteria for a diagnosis reflecting developmental disorder/delay compared with 13.0% in the control group. The criteria for any anxiety diagnosis were met by 74.1% in the SM group and for an elimination disorder by 31.5% versus 7.4% and 9.3%, respectively, in the control group. In the SM group, 46.3% of the children met the criteria for both an anxiety diagnosis and a diagnosis reflecting developmental disorder/delay versus 0.9% in the controls.

Conclusions: SM is associated with developmental disorder/delay nearly as frequently as with anxiety disorders. The mutism may conceal developmental problems in children with SM. Children with SM often meet diagnostic criteria for both a developmental and an anxiety disorder.