Enrollment Rate of Children with Selective Mutism in Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Lower Secondary School in Japan

Abstract

Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of selective mutism. However, the subjects and methods di er between these studies, and no uni ed perspective has been achieved. e purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic investigation by school type and grade level of children with selective mutism enrolled in kindergarten, elementary school, and lower secondary school in Japan and to evaluate the prevalence of selective mutism. e overall enrollment rate for children with selective mutism, in a total of 73 public kindergartens and elementary and lower secondary schools was found to be 0.21%, with more female than male students (male-tofemale ratio=1 : 2.1). e enrollment rate by school type was the highest for kindergarten (0.66%) and slightly decreased for the higher stages of education. e percentage of schools where any children with selective mutism were enrolled (called the school enrollment rate) was 39.7% for all schools and gradually increased from kindergarten to lower secondary school (at 46.7%). In this study, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fi h Edition diagnostic criteria for selective mutism were employed, and schoolteachers determined selective mutism based on the criteria. e school enrollment rate obtained in this study supports the results of other studies and provides new insights into selective mutism. e limitations of this study include an insucient number of samples and a failure to ensure adequate interpretive skill on the part of the respondents.

Difficulties Faced by Children with Selective Mutism in Schools and Support Thereof

“…When children with selective mutism are not enrolled in school, it is di cult to make any headway in establishing support systems. However, according to Matsushita et al (2019), children with selective mutism are enrolled in approximately 40% of schools.…”

“…Di culties Faced by Children with Selective Mutism in Schools and Support ereof taneously with Matsushita et al (2019), who conducted a questionnaire survey of enrollment rates among children with selective mutism using the same respondents and target schools.…”

“…However, they point out that di erences emerge depending upon the survey eld and diagnostic criteria used. Matsushita, Okumura, Sakai, Shimoyama, and Sonoyama (2019) surveyed enrollment rates in Japanese schools and found that no major differences are seen in elementary and lower secondary school although children with selective mutism frequently appear in kindergarten (0.66%), and the rate was 0.21% overall. In addition, in approximately 40% of all schools, children with selective mutism are enrolled or may be enrolled at all grade levels.…”