Due to the nature of the condition, research into selective mutism has tended towards quantitative analyses or individual case studies. This study aimed to explore the personal experiences of adolescents with selective mutism whilst considering the threats to validity that exist in previous qualitative studies. In a series of case studies (n=6), methods of eliciting data derived from Personal Construct Psychology were employed. Experience Cycle Methodology was used to explore the process of construing, whilst the Repertory Grid Technique enabled an exploration of the structure of construing. It was hoped that these methods might identify obstacles to change and inform appropriate interventions. Results suggested that mutism may be ‘chosen’ because it may enable greater anticipation of their interpersonal relationships than does speaking. Furthermore, there were suggestions that selective mutism may be a way of avoiding possible invalidation. Further research into sociality and systemic discourse was proposed in order to understand this condition further.

This research is an archival case study examining Helen B. Landgarten’s art therapy practice as observed in a videotaped, early stage, art therapy session with a child with elective mutism. This art therapy session is transcribed, analyzed, and given context by research questions drawn from Landgarten’s 32 journal articles published between 1973 and 2001. These journal articles are chronologically presented in the literature review in a manner resembling an annotative bibliography, familiarizing the reader with Landgarten’s writings and art therapy practice as she progressed through stages in her professional life.

The topic of the diploma thesis is speech therapy and intervention of pupils with elective mutism. The thesis is structured into four chapters. The theoretical framework is presented in three chapters, the fourth one is an empirical part of the thesis. The first theoretical chapter describes the concept of communication and the definitions of basic terms, such as speech communication, speech, language, language levels of speech, socialization and social interaction. There are also listed terminological definition of elective mutism, etiology, classification and symptomatology. The second theoretical chapter is based on the issues of speech therapy and intervention and its system in the Czech Republic in terms of diagnostics, differential diagnostics, the process of therapy, prevention and prognosis. The third chapter describes the multidisciplinary approaches and support of the pupils with elective mutism in terms of family and school education. The role of the teacher is also described and at the end of the chapter indicated the help to the pupil in basic education. The fourth empirical chapter deals with qualitative research, realized by case studies, which were supplemented by other research techniques. The main objective of the research was to analyze speech therapy and intervention in pupils...