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Selective mutism - Symptom

Symptoms:

  • Ability to speak at home with family
  • Failure to speak in certain social situations
  • Fear of people
  • Shyness

This pattern of mutism must be observed for at least 1 month. (The first month of school does not count, because shyness is common during this period.)

Signs and tests:

Teachers and counselors should consider cultural issues, such as recently moving to a new country and speaking another language. Children who are uncomfortable with a new language may not want to use it outside of a familiar setting. This is not necessarily selective mutism.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/28/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Michelle Benger Merrill, MD, Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Stafford B, Boris NW, Dalton R. Anxiety disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 24.

Simms MD, Schum RL. Language development and communication disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 32.2.

Victor AM, Bernstein GA. Anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder update. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2009;32:57-69.

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