Selective mutism (SM) is a condition where children are able to talk comfortably in some situations such as at home or around familiar relatives, but are not able to use their voice in other social situations where there is an expectation for speaking such as at school or with less familiar people.
SM is a form of social anxiety where the child fears that when people hear their
voice they will react in a way that might be embarrassing for them or that they
may be judged for how they sound or what they say. This fear prevents the
child from being able to speak freely. Sometimes children with SM are unable
to speak to adults or peers at school. Sometimes they can speak to select
people (e.g., 1 or 2 peers, or adults but not peers), and sometimes children are
able to whisper to a large number of people but unable to use their normal voice.
Although Selective mutism usually becomes apparent around three years of
age, the condition is often not diagnosed until much later (e.g., early to mid
primary school). The delayed referrals of children to appropriate services is
often due to the perception that the child will ‘grow out of it’ and eventually
start talking. However, this is often not the case, as improvements tend to
occur very slowly (if at all) if it is left untreated. Preschool workers, early
childhood carers, and speech therapists play a key role in early detection of
the condition and in ensuring that steps are taken before the mutism becomes
firmly established.
In the past ten years or so, the recognition that selective mutism is a form of
social anxiety has led to the development of effective treatment programs,
such as cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT). CBT programs aim to gradually
expose the child to anxiety-provoking social situations and assist them to build
up nonverbal, and later verbal communication.
Read more about our Outreach and Local Programs, and read our FAQs
for much more information about Selective Mutism.