What is selective mutism?

Also known as: elective mutism, anxiety disorder, phobia.

Selective mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder in which the child will speak at certain times when in a comfortable secure and relaxed environment, but not necessarily in other situations (lasting for more than one month). An example might be that the child will speak while at home, but not at school. Most of these children have social phobia or social anxiety.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM