Selective
mutism (SM) is a diagnosis marked by withdrawal of speech in certain social
situations. The treatment of SM is often a difficult and lengthy process and
there are many barriers to successful intervention. Behavioral therapy is most
effective in the treatment of SM and the addition of therapeutic activities
such as games and mobile devices may provide distinct advantages to this
treatment (i.e., decreased patient anxiety levels and more active engagement). The
current investigation examined the utility of mobile applications during the
behavioral treatment of SM as well as the effect of using mobile applications
on child-reported and physiological indicators of anxious responding. Results
indicated that children made remarkable treatment gains in just two treatment
sessions (i.e., spoke to the clinician within 22 minutes of treatment and held
five, five-minute conversations with additional adults during a second session)
regardless of modality of delivery (using mobile applications, other
activities, or reinforcement alone). Children shaped to speak with the
inclusion of mobile applications reported less anxiety and exhibited decreased
physiological anxious distress during treatment. The utility of mobile applications
during the treatment of SM is discussed in addition to areas for future
research (e.g., mobile-based treatment dissemination initiatives).
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