What are Some Causes of Acute Onset of Loss of Speech Abilities?

Discussion Acute mental status changes are worrisome in the least and scary at their worst. Seizures, cerebrovascular problems and central nervous system tumor swirl in professionals’ heads as they take in the history, physical examination and start to evaluate and manage the problem. Usually respiratory distress is recognized by family members and treatment is also sought. Another cause of loss of speech is selective (or elective) mutism (SM). The child does not speak at all or minimally. When speaking it is usually within a close group of individuals or in certain circumstances such as only speaking to a parent or close family member or only at home and not in a public situation. This can be normal where a child may be quiet or shy especially when entering a new situation or meeting new people. The child though with time will “warm up” and can/will have normal speech. SM is defined as a “…consistent failure to speak in social situations in which there is an expectation to speak… despite speaking in other situations.” It must be occurring for at least one month and be interfering with their activities of daily living. A child with SM continues to behave this way outside the normal range of time and situation, and SM has a strong relationship with anxiety including social phobia. Children who are immigrants/bilingual or learning a new language may also choose not to speak and again this can be a normal behavior for the situation. If...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news