The Efficacy of Integrated Behavioral Therapy for Selective Mutism

All study procedures have been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Participants are recruited from the Selective Mutism unit at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, during their first visit to the clinic. Both parents of eligible children sign informed consents. Each child is evaluated by a clinical psychologist, using a semi-structured interview (ADIS), designed to diagnose the child and to determine the level of symptom severity. The parents who are identified as the main-caregiving, complete questionnaires assessing the child's levels of SM symptoms and social anxiety (SMQ, SASC), the parents' levels of social anxiety (LSAS, SPIN) and depression (BDI), parent's authority style (PAQ), parental accommodation (FASA) and parental playfulness (PPQ). The child's teacher completes questionnaires assessing the child's SM levels (SSQ). Participants are than assigned either to the treatment or the waiting list group (by chance). The assessment of SM levels is repeated in both groups at 1 week from baseline, 12 weeks from baseline, and 24 weeks from baseline. participants of the waiting list group will commence treatment following the 24 weeks waiting period.