Chapter 4: Finding their Voice: Empowering Students With Selective Mutism

School counselors are challenged on a daily basis to enhance the academic, socioemotional, and career development of students from various cultural backgrounds. In our work with culturally diverse students, Murphy and Dillon (2011) reported how some cultural identities are “invisible” (p. 35) to the naked eye. One childhood mental disorder that might not be readily apparent to adults is selective mutism. The following two vignettes detail common presentations of selective mutism in the classroom setting that might go undetected by school staff.

The third quarter of the school year has begun for Marie and yet she has not spoken directly to her first-grade teacher, Ms. Fields. Marie is well-liked by her classmates and remains at grade-level regarding her academic ability. Yet, Marie only speaks to two students within the entire school. Today, the students are working on arithmetic problems using small wooden blocks to assist in finding solutions. While other students are collaborating to complete the math worksheet, Ms. Fields observes