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Observations on Elective Mutism in Children

Crichton Royal, Dumfries

ABSTRACT

Our own, and several other cases of "elective mutism," a relatively rare disorder, are described. The children thus afflicted are "sensitives," often constitutionally predisposed, and come from an insecure milieu. The disorder has to be differentiated from other disorders in which partial mutism may occur. Elective mutism can be understood as a fixation at an early infantile level, on which an apprehended danger situation is met by a refusal to speak.

Received for publication June 18, 1950.