Israeli Teachers and Expressive Therapists Understanding of Selective Mutism

Article Information

Creative Arts Educ Ther (2023) 9(1):61–76 DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2023/9/8

Israeli Teachers and Expressive Therapists Understanding of Selective Mutism

Abstract

Selective mutism (SM) is a disorder originating in anxiety in which a child between the ages of 3 and 5 years does not speak at school but speaks at home. This study used art-based research with phenomenological qualitative inquiry to understand the perspectives of professionals in the Israeli school system who work with children diagnosed with SM. The researcher facilitated a professional workshop for 13 participants to broaden their knowledge and investigate their opinions. They learned about the disorder and created artwork illustrating their feelings about working with these children. Outcomes showed that participants felt isolated and alone, and the group setting held a space for them to better understand how to work with children with SM.

Keywords: elective mutism, professional workshop, communication, teacher’s expressive art therapist

摘要

选择性缄默症(SM)是一种起源于焦虑的障碍，3-5岁的儿童在学校不说话，但在家里可以说话。这项研究使用了艺术本位研究与现象学的定性探究，以了解以色列学校系统中与被诊断为选择性缄默症的儿童工作的专业人士的观点。研究者促成了一次专业工作坊，使13名参与者拓宽知识并研究他们的想法。他们了解了这种障碍，并创作了艺术作品表明他们与这些儿童一起工作的感受。结果显示，参与者感到孤立、独自一人，而团体设置为他们提供了一个空间，使他们更好地理解如何与选择性缄默症儿童一起工作。

关键词： 选择性缄默症, 专业工作坊, 沟通, 教师表达性艺术治疗师