Selective Mutism is a psychiatric disorder most commonly found in children, characterized by a persistent failure to speak in select settings, which continues for more than 1 month.  These children understand spoken language and have the ability to speak normally.  In typical cases, they speak to their parents and a few selected others.  Sometimes, they do not speak to certain individuals in the home.  Most are unable to speak in school, and in other major social situations.  Generally, most function normally in other ways, although some may have additional disabilities.  Most learn age-appropriate skills and academics.  Currently, Selective Mutism, through published studies, appears to be related to severe anxiety, shyness and social anxiety.  Selective Mutism may be associated to a variety of things, but the exact cause is yet unknown.  

These children may respond, or make their needs known, by nodding their heads, pointing, or by remaining expressionless or motionless until someone correctly guesses what they want.  The majority of these children express a great desire to speak in all settings, but are unable to due to anxiety, fear, shyness and embarrassment.  Many do participate in activities non-verbally.  The withdrawn behavior is not usually obvious until the child begins school.  Sometimes, even then, the child is viewed as shy and it is assumed that the shyness is temporary and will be outgrown.  By the time Selective Mutism is recognized, if it is recognized, the child has usually experienced at least 2 years in which no verbalization has become a way of life.  The behavior becomes increasingly difficult to change because of the lapse of time without intervention.

www.selectivemutismfoundation.org