Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.  It responds well to early behavioral intervention.  Read below to see if your child or student fits the general description of a child with SM

                                                                                             SYMPTOMS

Children with selective mutism (SM) will exhibit several (but not necessarily all) of these symptoms: 

• Difficulty speaking/inability to speak in certain settings even though they are able to speak at home
• Appear frozen/blank, uncomfortable, or angry when asked to speak in certain settings
• Difficulty eating or toileting at school
• Use of nonverbal behaviors such as nodding, pointing, and gesturing to communicate
• Do not necessarily appear anxious to others

In order for a child to be diagnosed with SM, the following criteria must be met:

• The difficulties speaking have lasted more than one month (i.e. beyond the first month of school)
• The failure to speak cannot be due to other disorders such as a communication disorder, developmental disorder, or unfamiliarity with the language