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Objectives: To determine whether oral language, working memory, and social anxiety differentiate children with selective mutism (SM), children with anxiety disorders (ANX), and normal controls (NCs) and explore predictors of mutism severity. Method: Children ages 6 to 10 years with SM (n = 44) were compared with children with ANX (n = 28) and NCs (n = 19) of similar age on standardized measures of language, nonverbal working memory, and social anxiety. Variables correlating with mutism severity were entered in stepwise regressions to determine predictors of mute behavior in SM. Results: Children with SM scored significantly lower on standardized language measures than children with ANX and NCs and showed greater visual memory deficits and social anxiety relative to these two groups. Age and receptive grammar ability predicted less severe mutism, whereas social anxiety predicted more severe mutism. These factors accounted for 38% of the variance in mutism severity. Conclusions: Social anxiety and language deficits are evident in SM, may predict mutism severity, and should be evaluated in clinical assessment. Replication is indicated, as are further studies of cognition and of intervention in SM, using large, diverse samples. (Contains 3 tables.)

Comments on several articles on child and adolescent psychiatry. Discussion on clinical problem solving; Explanation for an attempt to abuse Concerta Extended-Release Tablets by adolescents with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder; Use of electroconvulsive therapy on the youth.

Examines the effect of methylphenidate (MPH) on working memory and behavior in 40 anxious and nonanxious children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with three doses of MPH; Improved working memory in nonanxious ADHD group; MPH reduced activity level on both group.