Purpose: Selective mutism is a multidimensional childhood disorder in which, according to the most recent studies, biologically mediated temperament and anxiety components seem to play a major role (Kumpulainen, 2002). Children with selective mutism usually speak to family members at home but do not speak in kindergarten or school. When another condition exists that accounts better for the failure to speak, such as pervasive developmental disorder, retardation, psychosis, or a lack of language skills, then the child is not considered to have selective mutism. (Perednik, 2016). Selective mutism is an anxiety state disorder that is often confused with shyness. Speech and language therapists are consulted for the therapy of individuals diagnosed with selective mutism. This study aims to examine the awareness of speech and language therapists about therapy by describing their self-efficacy and knowledge levels about selective mutism. For this purpose, it is also aimed to contribute to the more active role of speech and language therapists in selective mutism therapies. Method: 207 people who participated in the study answered the demographic information part of the questionnaire, but only 152 people who filled out the whole questionnaire were included in the data. Continuing an undergraduate education in speech and language therapy and working as a speech and language therapist abroad were determined as exclusion criteria. During the data collection phase, a questionnaire developed by the researchers by scanning the literature was used for the study. There are 11 demographic information questions, 12 true-false questions and 11 Likert-type questions in the questionnaire. The questionnaire aims to measure the knowledge level of speech and language therapists about selective mutism and to describe the therapists' self-efficacy perceptions. The questionnaire was delivered to the participants from online platforms. Results: When the findings of the study were examined, it was observed that speech and language therapists did not feel self-sufficient about selective mutism and their level of knowledge was also not sufficient. Conclusion: It has been concluded that speech and language therapists, who have an important role in selective mutism therapies, should increase their awareness in this area. However, it is thought that selective mutism should be included more in the course contents. The fact that speech and language therapists are one of the most important professionals in selective mutism therapies is important in terms of their high level of knowledge and self-efficacy in this field. When the results are examined, inadequacies and deficiencies were observed both according to the latest graduation degree and according to the institution.
Keywords
selective mutism, self-efficacy, level of knowledge, speech
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