Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder in which a child who is capable of speaking consistently fails to speak in specific social situations, such as school or community settings, while speaking comfortably in other environments, typically at home with family. Selective mutism is not a choice or act of defiance; it is rooted in severe social anxiety that inhibits the child's ability to initiate or respond to communication in certain contexts.

Selective mutism typically becomes apparent when children enter preschool or kindergarten and are expected to communicate in a structured social setting. Without intervention, selective mutism can persist and expand, affecting academic participation, peer relationships, and emotional well-being. Children with selective mutism often also exhibit shyness, social withdrawal, fear of social embarrassment, and in some cases, other anxiety disorders.

Treatment for selective mutism requires a collaborative approach involving speech-language pathologists, psychologists, parents, and educators. Evidence-based interventions focus on gradually reducing anxiety and increasing comfortable communication in challenging settings through systematic desensitization, stimulus fading, shaping, and positive reinforcement. The goal is to help the child communicate confidently across all environments.