Investigating technology for children with selective mutism

Manivannan, Ishwarya; Fails, Jerry Alan

doi:10.1145/2771839.2771891

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Therapeutic tools and activities (e.g., interactive games and sound recorders) that promote verbal output are often used during behavioral therapy to help expedite and maximize treatment outcomes, and the use of technology such as smartphones and tablets may provide particular advantages (Bunnell & Beidel, 2013; Bunnell et al, 2015). In addition to convenience and applicability, the use of mobile devices may promote treatment engagement (Manivannan & Fails, 2015), perhaps through mechanisms such as systematic desensitization/reciprocal inhibition (Wolpe, 1968), where enjoyment or pleasure, rather than anxiety or fear, are paired with speaking in uncomfortable social situations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Technology-based resources (e.g., smartphones, tablets) may be particularly advantageous in the behavioral treatment of SM because they provide numerous free-to-use and inexpensive apps that can be used to promote verbal output, and because children with SM are familiar with, and regularly use them (Manivannan & Fails, 2015). Thus far, two case studies have examined the utility of mobile apps in the treatment of SM (i.e., Bunnell & Beidel, 2013; Bunnell et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Two-Session Hierarchy for Shaping Successive Approximations of Speech in Selective Mutism: Pilot Study of Mobile Apps and Mechanisms of Behavior Change

2018

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Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder marked by withdrawal of speech in particular social situations. Treatment is often difficult, requiring attention to several characteristics particular to the disorder. Therapeutic tools and activities such as games and mobile applications (apps) may be particularly advantageous to behavioral therapy for SM. A two-session hierarchy for shaping successive approximations of speech in SM was piloted with 15 children, 5 to 17 years old, who were randomly assigned to shaping while using mobile apps, other therapeutic tools/activities, and reinforcement alone. Very strong treatment gains were observed – 13 of 15 (88.7%) children completed the hierarchy during the first session and 14 (93.3%) did so during the second session, with the final child completing all but the final step (i.e., to ask and respond to at least five open-ended questions). Moreover, all 15 children spoke to the clinician within 59 minutes of treatment (M = 17 minutes), and 14 (93.3%) children held five, five-minute conversations with additional unknown adults during the second session. This occurred regardless of the inclusion of therapeutic tools/activities, although preliminary patterns of responding were observed such that children shaped while using mobile apps tended to show less self-reported and physiologically measured anxious distress. The utility of therapeutic activities and mobile apps when treating SM is discussed as well as areas for future research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Two-Session Hierarchy for Shaping Successive Approximations of Speech in Selective Mutism: Pilot Study of Mobile Apps and Mechanisms of Behavior Change

2018

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Supporting Shy Preschool Children in Joining Social Play

Currin

Diederich

Blasi

et al. 2021

Interaction Design and Children

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Preliminary impressions: Using a humanoid robot in the neuropsychological assessment of children with selective mutism

Godoi,

Azevedo,

Rodrigues

et al. 2024

International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems

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In the scope of anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence, selective mutism is characterized by a consistent failure to speak, interfering with social communication and academic performance which invariably requires clinical interventions. Since children and adolescents with this condition may present cognitive difficulties, there is a need for further investigation, with the aim of identifying a neuropsychological profile. Traditionally, the most used interventions in the literature involve drug treatment as well as cognitive behavioral therapy. In support of traditional treatment, new and sophisticated technologies are being explored to improve the results already achieved. Examples of these technologies involve software systems and augmented reality used to support cognitive behavioral therapy. In line with new technologies, this article presents an unprecedented clinical trial, in the context of neuropsychological assessment, involving the use of a humanoid robot as a verbal communication tool between the psychologist and the child. The pilot study involved four children with selective mutism, where in two cases the approach showed very promising results. In the other two cases, the children remained mute and chose not to interact with the robot. The results of this initial clinical trial motivated the team to evolve the experiment by including new cases of selective mutism.

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Investigating technology for children with selective mutism

Cited by 4 publications

References 8 publications

A Two-Session Hierarchy for Shaping Successive Approximations of Speech in Selective Mutism: Pilot Study of Mobile Apps and Mechanisms of Behavior Change

A Two-Session Hierarchy for Shaping Successive Approximations of Speech in Selective Mutism: Pilot Study of Mobile Apps and Mechanisms of Behavior Change

Supporting Shy Preschool Children in Joining Social Play

Preliminary impressions: Using a humanoid robot in the neuropsychological assessment of children with selective mutism

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