SELECTIVE MUTISM - AN EXPLANATORY MODEL

Elective mutism is a behavioral problem which normally starts in the p re-school years. The high frequency, severity and extent of these prob lems have led authors such as O + M (1986) to suggest the necessity of a profound study of its genesis, diagnosis and treatment. In our prev ious research we have dealt with both the treatment of the problem and the questions relative to its diagnosis, its early detection and conc eptualization. The present work has the aim to show a proposal of an e xplanatory model of the genesis, evolution and resistence to treatment of elective mutism.