Selective mutism
Signs of selective mutism
Selective mutism usually starts in early childhood, between the ages of two and four. It's often first noticed whenthe child starts to interact with people outside their family, such aswhen they begin nursery or school.
The main warning sign is the marked contrast in the child's ability to engage with different people, characterised by a sudden stillness and frozen facial expression when they're expected to talk to someone who's outside their comfort zone.
They may avoid eye contact and appear:
- nervous, uneasy or socially awkward
- rude, disinterested or sulky
- clingy
- shy and withdrawn
- stiff, tense or poorly co-ordinated
- stubborn or aggressive, having temper tantrums when they get home from school, or getting angry when questioned by parents
More confident childrenwith selective mutism can use gestures to communicate for example, they may nod for "yes" or shake their head for "no".
But more severely affectedchildren tend to avoid any form of communication spoken, written or gestured.
Some children may manage to respond with a word or two, or they may speak in an altered voice, such as a whisper.
Few people see the child or young person as they really are a sensitive, thoughtful individual who's chatty, outgoing and fun-loving when relaxed and unaffected by their selective mutism.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out about selective mutism, a severe anxiety disorder that prevents a person from speaking to certain people or in certain social situations.
Signs of selective mutism
Selective mutism usually starts in early childhood, between the ages of two and four. It's often first noticed whenthe child starts to interact with people outside their family, such aswhen they begin
What causes selective mutism?
Experts regard selective mutism asa fear (phobia) of talking to certain people. The cause isn't always clear, butit's known to be associated with anxiety. Thechildwill usually have inherited a tende
Diagnosing selective mutism
Left untreated, selective mutism can lead to isolation, low self-esteem and social anxiety disorder . It can continue into adolescence and adulthood if not tackled. However, a child can successfully
Associated difficulties
It's important to understand how selective mutism canaffect a child's education and development, and the impact it can have on a young person's or adult's everyday life. A person with selective mutis
Treating selective mutism
With appropriate handling and treatment, most children are able to overcome selective mutism.But the older they are when the condition is diagnosed, the longer it will take. The effectiveness of trea
Advice for parents
You may find the advice below helpful if your child has been diagnosed with selective mutism. Don't pressurise or bribe your child to encourage them to speak. Let your child know you understand the
Getting help and support
It's only relativelyrecently that selective mutism has been properly understood and effective treatment approaches have been developed. The body of expertise among healthcare professionals, education
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