Received 15.09.2023
Revised 27.12.2023
Accepted 28.02.2024
Retrieved from Vol. 14, No. 1, 2024
Pages 209 -224
Abstract
The article presents data on the impact of military events in Ukraine on the psychological state of children. It is noted that traumatic situations provoke the emergence of various psychological and anxiety disorders in children, including selective mutism. The article outlines the problematic issues of the state of research on the phenomenon of selective mutism and presents the results of the analysis of scientific publications on the essence and symptoms of selective mutism as well as tools for its diagnosing. In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, the author substantiates the need for a multi-level diagnosing and the use of various sources of information. The complex issues of diagnosing selective mutism are considered. It is emphasized that different social situations in children with selective mutism may not provoke the same patterns of non-speech behavior. It is emphasized that diagnosing procedure is also a social situation that can cause silence in a child with selective mutism. The significant role of parents and teachers as informants about a child’s speech behavior is emphasized and the need for their involvement in the process of diagnosing a child is emphasized. The importance of conducting educational activities aimed at informing parents and teachers about the nature of this disorder, its diagnostic and treatment options is emphasized. It is noted that selective mutism has a significant impact on the emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects of a child’s life, negatively affects his/her academic performance, interferes with his/her socialization, and is often accompanied by comorbidities. The importance of early diagnosis of the disorder is emphasized. The diagnostic tools for selective mutism are outlined, and the importance of translating these tools into the native language of children, in particular Ukrainian, is noted. The article substantiates the necessity of using validated as well as scientifically and metrically verified tools for diagnosing selective mutism as a prerequisite for obtaining reliable diagnostic results, which is extremely important for further treatment. The importance of testing the psychometric properties of diagnostic tools on a Ukrainian sample of children is emphasized, and directions for future research are identified
Keywords:
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