Social Anxiety Disorder Related Conditions What Is Selective Mutism? By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety." Learn about our editorial process Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD on September 18, 2020 linkedin Aron Janssen, MD is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and is the vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry Northwestern University. Learn about our Review Board Aron Janssen, MD on September 18, 2020 Print Brand X Pictures / Johner Images / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Selective Mutism? Symptoms Diagnosis Causes Treatment Coping What Is Selective Mutism? Selective mutism (SM) is a childhood anxiety disorder characterized by an inability to speak or communicate in certain settings. The condition is usually first diagnosed in childhood. Children who are selectively mute fail to speak in specific social situations, such as at school or in the community. It is estimated that less than 1% of children have selective mutism. The first described cases date back to 1877 when German physician Adolph Kussmaul labeled children who did not speak as having "aphasia voluntaria." Selective mutism can have a number of consequences, particularly if it goes untreated. It may lead to academic problems, low self-esteem, social isolation, and social anxiety. Symptoms If you believe that your child may be struggling with selective mutism, look for the following symptoms: Expression of a desire to speak that is held back by anxiousness, fear, or embarrassment Fidgeting, eye contact avoidance, lack of movement or lack of expression when in feared situations Inability to speak in school and other specific social situations Use of nonverbal communication to express needs (e.g., nodding head, pointing) Shyness, fear of people, and reluctance to speak between 2 and 4 years of age Speaking easily in certain situations (e.g., at home or with familiar people), but not others (e.g., at school or with unfamiliar people) While these behaviors are self-protective, other children and adults may often perceive them as deliberate and defiant. Recognizing Symptoms of Anxiety in Children Diagnosis Although selective mutism is believed to have its roots in anxiety, it was not classified as an anxiety disorder until the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013. The use of the term "selective" was adopted in 1994, prior to which the disorder was known as "elective mutism." The change was made to emphasize that children with selective mutism are not choosing to be silent, but rather are too afraid to speak. The primary criterion for a diagnosis of selective mutism is a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation of speaking (e.g., school), despite speaking in other situations. In addition to this primary symptom, children must also display the following: Symptoms of selective mutism must have been present for at least one month, and not simply the first month of school. Your child must understand spoken language and have the ability to speak normally in some situations (usually at home with familiar people). Finally, a lack of speech must interfere with your child's educational or social functioning. Children who stop talking temporarily after immigrating to a foreign country or experiencing a traumatic event would not be diagnosed with selective mutism. Causes Because the condition tends to be quite rare, risk factors for the condition are not fully understood. It was once believed that selective mutism was the result of childhood abuse, trauma, or upheaval. Research now suggests that the disorder is related to extreme social anxiety and that genetic predisposition is likely. Like all mental disorders, it is unlikely that there is one single cause. Kids who develop the condition: Tend to be very shy May have an anxiety disorder Fear embarrassing themselves in front of others Other potential causes include temperament and the environment. Children who are behaviorally inhibited or who have language difficulties may be more prone to developing the condition. Parents who have social anxiety and model inhibited behaviors may also play a role. Selective mutism also often co-occurs with other disorders including: Anxiety Depression Developmental delays Language problems Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Panic disorder Treatment Selective mutism is most receptive to treatment when it is caught early. If your child has been silent at school for two months or longer, it is important that treatment begin promptly. When selective mutism is not caught early, there is a risk that your child will become used to not speaking, and as a result, being silent will become a way of life and more difficult to change. Treatment for selective mutism may include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Psychotherapy A common treatment for selective mutism is the use of behavior management programs. Such programs involve techniques like desensitization and positive reinforcement, applied both at home and at school under the supervision of a psychologist. Medication Medication may also be appropriate, particularly in severe or chronic cases, or when other methods have not resulted in improvement. The choice of whether to use medication should be made in consultation with a doctor who has experience prescribing anxiety medication for children. Coping In addition to seeking appropriate professional treatment, there are things that you can do to help your child manage their condition. Inform teachers and others who work with your child. Teachers can sometimes become frustrated or angry with children who don't speak. You can help by making sure that your child's teacher knows that the behavior is not intentional. Together you need to encourage your child and offer praise and rewards for positive behaviors. Choose activities suited to their current skills. Don't force your child to engage in social situations or activities that demand spoken communication. Instead, choose activities that don't involve speech such as reading, art, or doing puzzles. Reward progress but avoid punishment. Where rewarding positive steps toward speaking is a good thing, punishing silence is not. If your child is afraid to speak, they will not overcome this fear through pressure or punishment. Don't pressure your child. Parental acceptance and family involvement are important in treatment, but you should avoid trying to force your child to speak. Putting pressure on your child will only increase their anxiety levels and make speaking all that more difficult. Focus on showing your child support and acceptance. In general, there is a good prognosis for selective mutism. Unless there is another problem contributing to the condition, children generally function well in other areas and do not need to be placed in special education classes. Although it is possible for this disorder to continue through to adulthood, it is rare and more likely that social anxiety disorder would develop. Ways to Help an Anxious Child Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kotrba A. Selective Mutism: A Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents. Eau Claire, WI: PESI Publishing and Media; 2015. Hua A, Major N. Selective mutism. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2016;28(1):114‐120. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000300 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Selective mutism. Wong P. Selective mutism: A review of etiology, comorbidities, and treatment. Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2010;7(3):23‐31. Additional Reading American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Freeman JB, Garcia AM, Miller LM, Dow SP, Leonard HL. Selective Mutism. In: Morris TL, March JS, eds. Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford; 2004. Selective Mutism Foundation. Understanding Selective Mutism. Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.