AN ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL FOR SELECTIVE MUTISM - ANALOG ASSESSMENT USINGPARENTS AS FACILITATORS

The purpose of this study was to present an assessment protocol for co nducting a functional analysis of maintaining variables for children w ith selective mutism. A parent interview was used to identify hypothes es related to mute behavior. The parent initially was trained in, and demonstrated efficiency in, applying various behavior strategies desig ned to increase speech. During a subsequent analogue assessment, the p arent was directed to apply different strategies in both easy demand a nd hard demand situations. Direct observation of speech rates was anal yzed to select the most promising treatments for an 8-year-old girl wh o spoke only with family members and was able to maintain speech in th e presence of unfamiliar adults when stimulus fading techniques were u sed. Additionally, a contingency that required speech as a criterion f or play in a family game was effective in increasing speech. Parent an d child ratings of treatment acceptability were obtained for the analo gue procedures as well as specific treatment strategies and revealed p ositive perceptions. A written summary of treatment recommendations wa s given to parents and to involved professionals. Implications for fut ure assessment of selective mutism are presented.