How Art Therapy Can Help Children with Selective Mutism

Children with speech issues risk poor mental health, charity warns

Kate McGough reported that about half of all young people referred to mental health services also faced serious speech and language challenges[1]. The charity, Speech and Language UK, suggested that the struggle with verbal communication in younger developmental years can lead to a negative impact on their mental health, increasing the risk of developing mental health challenges/issues.

In a joint report between the charity and the Centre for Mental Health in the UK, the authors call for a shift away from a reliance on talk-based therapies, urging schools and mental health teams to consider solutions such as art therapy.

Art therapy is a modality of psychotherapy that utilises the art making process as a clinical tool to address mental health challenges. This therapy model can be an effective intervention for children and young people who struggle with spoken words. 

Selective mutism is a form of anxiety disorder where children or adolescents are unable to speak in specific social settings[2]. Often confused as shyness, selective mutism can impact the development of the young person, impacting their academic performance, social relationships and self identity[3]. 

In art therapy, expression is facilitated by the art process and symbols created. Through the images created in the therapy session, a child with selective mutism can find a safe space to express themselves and communicate without the stress of spoken words. The non-verbal creative process can help the child explore different mediums of art and narrative tools that can reduce stress and anxiety in communication. 

Traditional talk therapies use cognitive strategies to help individuals with selective mutism identify their levels and sources of anxiety in order to support the child’s progress and confidence to communicate verbally. Art therapy uses creativity, play and psychodynamic tools to support children with selective mutism in the development of self identity and reduction in their anxiety.

[1]https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9w15jrj5xxo

[2]https://www.nuhs.edu.sg/patient-care/find-a-condition/selective-mutism

[3]https://www.imh.com.sg/Mental-Health-Resources/Conditions-and-Challenges/Pages/Selective-Mutism.aspx