Date of Graduation
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders
Advisor/Mentor
Frazier, Kimberly
Committee Member
Catterlin, Lexi
Abstract
Introduction: This is a study done to evaluate the perceptions of speech-language pathologists, psychologists/licensed professional counselors and their thoughts on selective mutism intervention. These thoughts will be gathered and analyzed to be compared to speech-language pathologists perceptions to see if there are differences. The goal is to be able to see the overall most-shared opinion to better be able to understand the intervention involving selective mutism. Selective Mutism (SM) is a rare disorder as only 1% of the population is diagnosed with it. The purpose is to provide more education on the disorder and help various kinds of professionals better understand the intervention methods, while also discussing which methods are preferred by different types of professionals. The goal is for all types of professionals, speech-language pathologists, school-based counselors, and psychologists, to be able to better work together and understand the causes and treatments for this disorder.
Methods: A mixed-methods survey was developed and administered. It gathered both qualitative and quantitative responses about interventions used for selective mutism, as well as other information about the responding therapists and their experience. This survey was sent to licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs), psychologists, and licensed professional counselors (LPCs).
Conclusion: The conclusion that can be gathered from this study is that client lead therapy, play therapy and building rapport were stated to be the most favored approaches by therapists.
Keywords
selective mutism intervention; psychologists; SM; speech therapy
Citation
Olmstead, A. (2024). The Perceptions of Psychologists and Speech-Language Pathologists on Intervention Methods for Selective Mutism. Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/rhrcuht/88
