HOME | DD

Description
What is selective mutism?

Children with selective mutism (SM) can speak well in some situations, but remain silent in others. Children usually talk freely at home, with family members, but find themselves unable to talk outside their home. Some children can only talk with their parents and brothers and sisters.

Most children with SM are girls, and boys with SM often have other difficulties with communication and learning. Children with SM often describe themselves as feeling physically unable to speak: even feeling a physical blockage in their throat, though none in fact exists. Children may have no other identifiable problems and make progress at school in areas where speaking is not required, though their inability to talk in school presents them, and the adults who work with them, with significant challenges.

Selective Mutism was originally known as elective mutism, as professionals believed that children were choosing not to speak, and were therefore thought to be challenging and manipulative. The term Selective Mutism reflects current understanding that the children’s silence is not something they can control. It can be seen as a type of extreme social anxiety or phobia.

How does selective mutism develop?

SM can begin as shyness, but for various reasons children become progressively unable to speak in public, and especially at pre-school or in school. No single cause has been identified, though emotional, psychological and social factors may play a strong part. In some cases trauma can be an important factor, perhaps in school or hospital. Some children with SM are also anxious about new or unfamiliar situations and activities, and may be overly worried about taking risks.

Children may have other behaviours, such as limited eye contact and facial expression, physical rigidity, nervous fidgeting and withdrawal.

SM often develops as children get older. It may not always improve spontaneously, and in some cases can become an intractable condition that severely limits young people’s life chances.

Disclamer I am not nor have I even been effect by SM, but many others are

Description
What is selective mutism?

Children with selective mutism (SM) can speak well in some situations, but remain silent in others. Children usually talk freely at home, with family members, but find themselves unable to talk outside their home. Some children can only talk with their parents and brothers and sisters.

Most children with SM are girls, and boys with SM often have other difficulties with communication and learning. Children with SM often describe themselves as feeling physically unable to speak: even feeling a physical blockage in their throat, though none in fact exists. Children may have no other identifiable problems and make progress at school in areas where speaking is not required, though their inability to talk in school presents them, and the adults who work with them, with significant challenges.

Selective Mutism was originally known as elective mutism, as professionals believed that children were choosing not to speak, and were therefore thought to be challenging and manipulative. The term Selective Mutism reflects current understanding that the children’s silence is not something they can control. It can be seen as a type of extreme social anxiety or phobia.

How does selective mutism develop?

SM can begin as shyness, but for various reasons children become progressively unable to speak in public, and especially at pre-school or in school. No single cause has been identified, though emotional, psychological and social factors may play a strong part. In some cases trauma can be an important factor, perhaps in school or hospital. Some children with SM are also anxious about new or unfamiliar situations and activities, and may be overly worried about taking risks.

Children may have other behaviours, such as limited eye contact and facial expression, physical rigidity, nervous fidgeting and withdrawal.

SM often develops as children get older. It may not always improve spontaneously, and in some cases can become an intractable condition that severely limits young people’s life chances.

Disclamer I am not nor have I even been effect by SM, but many others are