Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism

English Language Learners (ELLs) with Selective Mutism (SM) mirror their typically developing, bilingual peers who are going through the silent period. The silent period is a normal phenomenon characterized by decreased expressive language and a general lack of communication that is temporary. Under...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth Harbaugh , M.S., CCC-SLP, Raul F. Prezas , Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Robin L. Edge , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ralph W. Steen Library, Stephen F. Austin State University 2018-10-01
Series:Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=jhstrp
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author Elizabeth Harbaugh , M.S., CCC-SLP
Raul F. Prezas , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Robin L. Edge , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
author_facet Elizabeth Harbaugh , M.S., CCC-SLP
Raul F. Prezas , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Robin L. Edge , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
author_sort Elizabeth Harbaugh , M.S., CCC-SLP
collection DOAJ
description English Language Learners (ELLs) with Selective Mutism (SM) mirror their typically developing, bilingual peers who are going through the silent period. The silent period is a normal phenomenon characterized by decreased expressive language and a general lack of communication that is temporary. Understanding second language acquisition and differentiating SM from the silent period, however, is critical to reduce over- and under-identification of children for services. Whereas bilingual children with SM do not speak in either of their languages, bilingual children in the silent period are only silent in their second language. Although limited information exists regarding assessment and treatment for SM in ELLs, general assessment and intervention strategies are available. The notion of selective stimulability (how stimulable a child with SM is for expressive communication) may be used in assessment in order to encourage children with SM to communicate expressively when using speech and language protocols and for determining prognosis for treatment. Guidelines for differential diagnosis of SM and the silent period are offered in this paper, including a case example of the use of selective stimulability in a speech-language assessment of a Spanish-speaking child. Moreover, additional information related to the assessment process and implications for intervention are provided.
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spelling doaj.art-a8ef666a5ab540bdb38d1b42a3640b2c2022-12-22T01:23:42ZengRalph W. Steen Library, Stephen F. Austin State UniversityJournal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice2472-131X2018-10-0132128Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective MutismElizabeth Harbaugh , M.S., CCC-SLP0Raul F. Prezas , Ph.D., CCC-SLP1Robin L. Edge , Ph.D., CCC-SLP2Texas Christian UniversityStephen F. Austin State UniversityJacksonville UniversityEnglish Language Learners (ELLs) with Selective Mutism (SM) mirror their typically developing, bilingual peers who are going through the silent period. The silent period is a normal phenomenon characterized by decreased expressive language and a general lack of communication that is temporary. Understanding second language acquisition and differentiating SM from the silent period, however, is critical to reduce over- and under-identification of children for services. Whereas bilingual children with SM do not speak in either of their languages, bilingual children in the silent period are only silent in their second language. Although limited information exists regarding assessment and treatment for SM in ELLs, general assessment and intervention strategies are available. The notion of selective stimulability (how stimulable a child with SM is for expressive communication) may be used in assessment in order to encourage children with SM to communicate expressively when using speech and language protocols and for determining prognosis for treatment. Guidelines for differential diagnosis of SM and the silent period are offered in this paper, including a case example of the use of selective stimulability in a speech-language assessment of a Spanish-speaking child. Moreover, additional information related to the assessment process and implications for intervention are provided.https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=jhstrpselective mutismsilent periodbilingual childrenenglish language learnersspeech and language assessmentmulticulturalismdifferential diagnosis
spellingShingle Elizabeth Harbaugh , M.S., CCC-SLP
Raul F. Prezas , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Robin L. Edge , Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism
Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice
selective mutism
silent period
bilingual children
english language learners
speech and language assessment
multiculturalism
differential diagnosis
title Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism
title_full Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism
title_fullStr Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism
title_full_unstemmed Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism
title_short Selective Stimulability in the Speech and Language Assessment of Bilingual Children with Selective Mutism
title_sort selective stimulability in the speech and language assessment of bilingual children with selective mutism
topic selective mutism
silent period
bilingual children
english language learners
speech and language assessment
multiculturalism
differential diagnosis
url https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=jhstrp
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