A disorder of infancy, childhood, or adolescence characterized by persistent failure to speak in specific social situations by a child with demonstrated ability to speak. The mutism is not due to lack of fluency in the language being spoken or embarrassment about a speech problem. Also known as elective mutism.
According to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, selective mutism is the “persistent failure to speak in specific social situations (e.g., school, with playmates) where speaking is expected, despite speaking in other situations”. This disturbance interferes with educational or occupational achievement and must be evident for at least 1 month, specifically not the first month of school. In the case of selective mutism, failure to speak is not better explained by a communication disorder (e.g., stuttering) or lack of familiarity with the language.
A form of social phobia, typically first identified in young children, in which the child fails to speak in certain public settings but has normal speech at other times.