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Selective Mutism
Explore explanations, everyday questions and next steps connected with selective mutism.
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Signs & concerns
Early signs of Selective Mutism in an 18–24-month-old
Selective Mutism is not typically diagnosed at 18–24 months, because emerging language and shyness with strangers are normal at this age. There are no toddler-specific 'early signs' to hunt for; instead, watch overall communication — babbling, gesturing, responding to name and emerging words across all settings. A clear speak-at-home-but-never-at-nursery pattern only becomes meaningful nearer the preschool years.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 2-Year-Old
At two, Selective Mutism is rarely labelled — many toddlers are simply reserved with new people and still building language. The key pattern to watch is contrast: a child who speaks freely and warmly at home but reliably falls silent in specific settings like nursery or with relatives, consistently over weeks. Give new settings time to settle; a meaningful assessment usually becomes possible from around 3 to 5 years. These are signs to observe and discuss, not to self-diagnose.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 2-Year-Old Boy
At 24–36 months, Selective Mutism is rarely diagnosed because quietness with strangers is normal for toddlers. True Selective Mutism means speaking freely in one setting (home) yet consistently being unable to speak in another for over a month. At two, the right step is to watch the pattern and check overall speech and language development, not to seek a label.
Read the answer AnswerEarly signs of Selective Mutism in a 2-year-old girl
At two, Selective Mutism is too early to diagnose — slow warming-up and going quiet with strangers are typical toddler behaviour. The gentle pattern to watch is consistent, predictable silence in specific settings (like nursery) alongside free, chatty speech at home. If that gap persists past settling-in, or speech seems delayed everywhere, a developmental check is the right next step.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 3-to-6-Month-Old
Selective Mutism cannot be identified in a 3-to-6-month-old — it is an anxiety-based condition seen in children aged about 3–6 who can speak at home but not in certain social settings. A young baby has no spoken language yet, so there is nothing to worry about. Instead, enjoy healthy early signs like cooing, social smiling and turning to your voice. Only a clinician confirms any concern.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 3-Year-Old
Early signs of Selective Mutism in a 3-year-old: speaking freely at home but falling consistently silent at nursery or with unfamiliar people, freezing or using gestures instead of words, and a pattern lasting beyond the first month of a new setting. The child can speak — anxiety is blocking the words. These are signs to observe and discuss, not to self-diagnose.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 3-Year-Old Boy
Selective Mutism in a 3-year-old shows as consistent silence in specific settings (like playschool or with unfamiliar adults) while he speaks freely at home, lasting beyond about a month and not just settling-in shyness. It is driven by anxiety, not defiance, and the words are there — they're blocked in certain places. Early, gentle support helps greatly; only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 3-Year-Old Girl
Selective mutism in a 3-year-old shows as a consistent pattern: she speaks freely at home but reliably goes silent at nursery or with unfamiliar people for a month or more. It is driven by anxiety, not defiance, and her language ability is intact. Seek a gentle developmental check if the silence persists, distresses her or affects friendships.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 4-Year-Old
Early signs of Selective Mutism in a 4-year-old include speaking freely at home but being consistently unable to speak at preschool or with unfamiliar people for at least a month. It is anxiety-based, not shyness or defiance, and her language skills are usually fine. Only a clinician can confirm it.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 4-Year-Old Boy
Selective Mutism shows when a 4-year-old speaks freely at home but consistently cannot speak in specific settings like nursery or with unfamiliar adults — an anxiety-based difficulty, not defiance. Watch for freezing, avoiding eye contact, and communicating by gesture or whisper when the silence lasts beyond about a month and disrupts learning or friendships.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 4-Year-Old Girl
Selective mutism in a 4-year-old shows as consistent, settling-aside silence in specific settings (preschool, unfamiliar adults) while she talks freely at home. It is anxiety-based, not shyness or defiance, and is meaningful when it lasts beyond a month of starting school and affects learning or friendships. Only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 5-Year-Old
Early signs of selective mutism in a 5-year-old include speaking freely at home but staying consistently silent at school or with unfamiliar people for a month or more, beyond settling-in time. She can speak and understands well — the silence is driven by anxiety, not defiance. Only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a 6-to-9-Month-Old
Selective Mutism cannot be identified in a 6-to-9-month-old — it is an anxiety-based difficulty where a child who can already speak stays silent in certain settings, recognised only after speech develops (usually after age 3). At this age, watch instead for healthy early communication: babbling, responding to her name, eye contact and shared attention. Only a clinician can assess development.
Read the answer AnswerEarly signs of Selective Mutism in a 6-year-old
Early signs of Selective Mutism in a 6-year-old include speaking freely at home but being consistently unable to speak at school or with unfamiliar people for over a month, often with a frozen posture, gestures instead of words, and visible anxiety. It is an anxiety-based difficulty, not shyness or defiance. Only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism at 9–12 Months
Selective Mutism cannot be identified in a 9-to-12-month-old and has no early signs at this age — it is an anxiety-related condition recognised only once a child is speaking, usually after age 3. At 9–12 months, simply enjoy babble, responsiveness and connection; any concern about hearing or babble warrants a general developmental check, not a mutism worry.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in a Newborn
Selective Mutism cannot be identified in a newborn — there are no early signs at this age. It is an anxiety-related condition seen only once a child is talking, usually noticed around 3 to 5 years. In the newborn months, watch instead for connection, responses to sound and normal cooing, and seek a hearing check for any concern. Only a clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in Boys
Selective Mutism is when a boy speaks freely at home but consistently cannot speak in settings like school, despite wanting to. It is anxiety-based, not shyness or defiance, and early signs — freezing, silence lasting over a month, communicating by gesture — usually appear at ages 3 to 6. Early, gentle support helps most children find their voice.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in Girls
Selective Mutism shows as a consistent inability to speak in certain settings (often school) while speaking freely at home, lasting beyond a month. In girls it is easily missed as 'shyness' or good behaviour — watch for a frozen look, communicating by nodding or whispering, and avoidance of speaking situations. It is anxiety, not choice; only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism in Young Children
Selective Mutism is an anxiety-based pattern where a child speaks easily at home but consistently cannot speak in settings like school for over a month. Early signs include freezing or staying silent with unfamiliar people, communicating by gesture or whisper, and visible tension when expected to speak — while speaking warmly in trusted settings.
Read the answer AnswerSelective Mutism red flags warranting referral in young children
Refer when a child consistently fails to speak in specific settings (typically school) despite fluent speech at home, the pattern persists beyond one month of starting school, and it interferes with education or social functioning — and isn't better explained by a language disorder, autism or an unfamiliar language.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Indicators of Selective Mutism for Paediatricians
Selective Mutism (ICD-11 6B06) presents as consistent failure to speak in specific settings — usually school — despite fluent speech at home. Refer when situational silence persists beyond a month of a new setting, interferes with function, and isn't explained by a language disorder, hearing loss, or unfamiliarity with the language of instruction.
Read the answer AnswerEarly Signs of Selective Mutism on a Home Visit
On a home visit, look for a child who speaks freely with family but consistently cannot speak to you — freezing, whispering or going silent — with the pattern lasting beyond a month and affecting school or friendships. It is anxiety-based, not shyness or hearing loss; refer when the pattern is clear.
Read the answer AnswerWhat everyday classroom signs might suggest a child has Selective Mutism?
Selective mutism shows in class as consistent silence at school in a child who speaks freely at home — whispering only to a close friend, using gestures instead of words, freezing when asked to speak, and appearing anxious rather than defiant. When this clear home-versus-school contrast lasts beyond settling-in weeks, suggest a developmental check; only a clinician can confirm.
Read the answer AnswerWhen should a doctor refer suspected selective mutism for therapy?
Refer when a child's failure to speak in specific settings persists beyond one month (excluding the first month of school), causes educational or social impairment, and isn't explained by a language disorder or unfamiliarity with the language. Selective mutism is anxiety-based — early referral, not watchful waiting, gives the best outcomes.
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