Language and speech disorders refer to problems in communication and related areas, such as oral motor function. Autism and selective mutism are two disorders characterized by language challenges and difficulty in speaking, yet they have different etiologies.
The key difference between autism and selective mutism is the challenges involved in these conditions. People with autism face language challenges and difficulty speaking regardless of the environment, while people with selective mutism face language challenges and difficulty speaking only in certain environments.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Autism
3. What is Selective Mutism
4. Similarities – Autism and Selective Mutism
5. Autism vs Selective Mutism in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Autism and Selective Mutism
7. Summary – Autism vs Selective Mutism
What is Autism?
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex lifelong condition characterized by communication and behavioral challenges. Symptoms of ASD include a lack of eye contact, a narrow range of interests, repetitive behaviors, heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, social withdrawal, difficulties in understanding speech and nonverbal cues, and resistance to changes in routine. ASD results from abnormalities in brain regions responsible for sensory processing and language comprehension. Genetic factors play a significant role in its development, with certain gene combinations increasing the risk. Additionally, exposure to specific drugs or chemicals during pregnancy may contribute to the likelihood of having a child with autism.
Autism can be diagnosed through developmental screening, vision tests, and genetic tests. Furthermore, autism can be treated through speech therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), educational and social relational support, and medication for hyperactivity and anxiety.
What is Selective Mutism?
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where people are unable to speak in certain social situations, such as at school or work. Symptoms of this condition are inability to speak, tense or stiff posture, blank expression, avoiding eye contact, avoiding social interactions, not asking for things wanted or needed, behavioral disruptiveness, preferring to use widely understood sounds, and using gestures or other movements. Selective mutism can be caused by other mental health conditions (social anxiety disorder, phobias, etc.), family history or genetics, other communication disorders, and social circumstances.
Selective mutism can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation and psychological evaluation. Furthermore, treatment options for selective mutism may include mental health therapy, speech therapy, and giving medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Similarities Between Autism and Selective Mutism
- Autism and selective mutism are two disorders with language challenges and difficulty in speaking.
- Children are affected mainly by both disorders.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical evaluation and psychological examination.
- They can be treated through specific medications and therapies.
Difference Between Autism and Selective Mutism
Definition
- Autism presents language and speech difficulties consistently across all settings, regardless of communication partner or location.
- Selective mutism is a disorder characterized by language and speech difficulties occurring when individuals are uncomfortable, with typical social interactions and communication skills manifesting when they are comfortable.
Causes
- Autism arises due to problems in parts of the brain responsible for interpreting sensory input and processing language.
- Selective mutism may result from other mental health conditions (such as social anxiety disorder or phobias), family history or genetics, other communication disorders, or social circumstances.
Symptoms
- Autism symptoms include a lack of eye contact, a narrow range of interests, repetitive behaviors, heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, difficulties in understanding speech and nonverbal cues, and challenges adapting to changes in routine.
- Selective mutism symptoms involve the inability to speak, displaying tense or stiff posture, exhibiting a blank expression, avoiding eye contact and social interactions, refraining from asking for things wanted or needed, displaying disruptive behavior, preferring widely understood sounds for communication, and using gestures or other movements.
Risk Factors
- Autism may be influenced by family history, certain gene combinations, and exposure of pregnant women to certain drugs or chemicals.
- Selective mutism is associated with family history and specific gene combinations.
Diagnosis
- Autism can be diagnosed through developmental screening, vision testing, and genetic analysis.
- Selective mutism diagnosis involves evaluating physical symptoms and psychological assessments.
Treatment
- Autism treatment may include speech therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), educational and social support interventions, and medication for managing symptoms like hyperactivity and anxiety.
- Selective mutism treatment often involves mental health therapy, speech therapy, and the administration of medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The infographic below presents the differences between autism and selective mutism in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Autism vs Selective Mutism
Autism and selective mutism are two disorders with language challenges and difficulty in speaking. Autism shows language and speech difficulties in all settings, regardless of communication partner or location while selective mutism is a disorder that shows language and speech difficulties when people are uncomfortable and tend to have fairly typical social interactions and communication skills when they are comfortable. Thus, this summarizes the difference between autism and selective mutism.
FAQ: Autism and Selective Mutism
1. What are the symptoms of autism?
- Not responding to their name, avoiding eye contact, failing to reciprocate smiles, becoming highly distressed by certain tastes, smells, or sounds, engaging in repetitive movements like hand-flapping, finger-flicking, or body rocking, and displaying limited verbal communication compared to other children.
2. Can an autistic person have a normal life?
- Overall, people with autism can lead independent lives depending on their unique strengths, challenges, and the available resources. With appropriate support and opportunities, they can achieve fulfilling and meaningful lifestyles.
3. Can autism be treated?
- There is no cure for autism. However, some medicines can help with related symptoms like depression, seizures, insomnia, and trouble focusing. Studies have shown that behavioral therapies work for them as well.
4. What is the cause of selective mutism?
- The exact cause is not known. Most experts believe that children with this condition inherit a tendency to be anxious and inhibited. Most children with selective mutism have some form of extreme social fear disorder like phobia.
5. Can you get rid of selective mutism?
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the main treatments for selective mutism. This action-based and problem-solving talking therapy is carried out by highly trained therapists, where the older child can benefit from further understanding of the disorder and anxiety in general.
Reference:
1. “What Is Selective Mutism.” Selective Mutism Anxiety & Related Disorders Treatment Center | SMart Center.
2. “What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Signs of Autism” By MissLunaRose12 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia