# SNOMED CT Concept for Selective Mutism

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-selective-mutism
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Selective Mutism maps to the SNOMED CT clinical finding concept "Selective mutism (disorder)", SCTID 31588003, and to ICD-11 6B06 Selective mutism under anxiety and fear-related disorders. SNOMED CT encodes the record; ICD-11 classifies it. Diagnosis is always clinician-led.

*Clean terminology mapping is the quiet backbone of every shared care record — so let's pin down where Selective Mutism actually sits.*

## In short
Selective Mutism is represented in **SNOMED CT** by the clinical finding concept **"Selective mutism (disorder)"**, SCTID **31588003**, which sits under disorders of psychological development and childhood-onset emotional/behavioural conditions. In **ICD-11** the corresponding entity is **6B06 Selective mutism**, within anxiety and fear-related disorders — the framing now favoured clinically over older "childhood disorder" placements. For interoperable records, SNOMED CT is your encoding terminology; ICD-11 is your classification for statistics, reporting and case definition.

## The clinical picture, briefly
Selective mutism is characterised by a **consistent failure to speak in specific social situations** (typically school or with unfamiliar people) despite speaking normally in others (usually at home), persisting beyond a month and not limited to the first month of schooling. It is conceptualised as an **anxiety-related** presentation, not a speech-production or language disorder per se — hence the ICD-11 placement under anxiety and fear-related disorders (6B06). When coding, distinguish it from communication disorders, expressive/receptive language disorder, and autism-related communication differences, and confirm the child has age-appropriate language competence in comfortable settings before applying the concept.

## When to refer
Refer when reduced or absent speech in select settings persists **beyond the first month of school** and interferes with education or social functioning. Co-assessment with speech-language pathology and child mental-health input is appropriate, and screen for co-occurring social anxiety, language difference, and hearing.

## The Pinnacle way
Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from an online form or terminology lookup. Accurate concept mapping supports the record; the clinician interprets the child. Explore our [speech therapy pathway](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), understand [how the AbilityScore is established](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), and see the wider [network and approach](/).

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 entity 6B06 Selective mutism (icd.who.int); SNOMED International concept model for clinical findings; ASHA guidance on selective mutism and speech-language assessment (asha.org).

**Next step —** Partner with Pinnacle for structured assessment and SNOMED/ICD-aligned reporting — [connect with our clinical team](/).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11: 6B06 Selective mutism: https://icd.who.int/
- ASHA: Selective mutism and speech-language assessment: https://www.asha.org/
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Doctor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/doctor
- Emotional: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/emotional
- Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- What is Selective Mutism, and what are its ICD-11 features in early childhood?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-selective-mutism-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood
- What is the ICD-11 classification for Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-selective-mutism
- What is Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-selective-mutism
- How Selective Mutism Affects a Child's Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-selective-mutism-affect-a-child-s-daily-life
- Is Selective Mutism considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-selective-mutism-considered-a-disability
- Is Selective Mutism Genetic or Hereditary?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-selective-mutism-genetic-or-hereditary
- What are common myths about Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-common-myths-about-selective-mutism
- What are the types or levels of Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-selective-mutism
- What Causes Selective Mutism in Children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-selective-mutism-in-children
- Early Intervention Outcomes for Selective Mutism Under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-selective-mutism-in-children-under-7
- What is Selective Mutism in Early Childhood?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-selective-mutism-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood
- What other conditions often occur alongside Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-conditions-often-occur-alongside-selective-mutism

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Early Indicators of Selective Mutism for Paediatricians: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-early-indicators-of-selective-mutism-should-a-paediatrician-watch-for
- Selective Mutism red flags warranting referral in young children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-clinical-red-flags-for-selective-mutism-warrant-referral-in-a-young-child
- When should a doctor refer suspected selective mutism for therapy?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-a-doctor-refer-a-child-with-suspected-selective-mutism-for-developmental-therapy
- Can Selective Mutism Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-selective-mutism-be-cured
- Can Selective Mutism Be Prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-selective-mutism-be-prevented
- Do Boys Show Selective Mutism Differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-selective-mutism-differently
- Selective Mutism in Girls: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-selective-mutism-differently
- How a frontline health worker can spot possible Selective Mutism early: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-frontline-health-worker-spot-a-child-with-possible-selective-mutism-early
- Should I be worried my child might have Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-be-worried-my-child-might-have-selective-mutism
- Early Signs of Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-selective-mutism
- Early Signs of Selective Mutism in a 1-Year-Old Boy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-selective-mutism-in-a-1-year-old-boy
- Early signs of selective mutism in a 1-year-old girl: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-selective-mutism-in-a-1-year-old-girl

### Explore causes & influences
- Contributing Factors for Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-selective-mutism-in-early-childhood
- Are boys more likely to have selective mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-selective-mutism
- Are girls more likely to have Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-selective-mutism
- Early Intervention for Selective Mutism: Advancing UNCRPD and the SDGs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-early-intervention-for-selective-mutism-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs
- What Causes Selective Mutism in Young Children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-selective-mutism-in-young-children
- Cost-effectiveness of early therapy for Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-selective-mutism-in-young-children
- What is the prevalence and public-health burden of Selective Mutism among young children in India?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-selective-mutism-among-young-children-in-india

### Understand assessment
- Standardised tools for assessing Selective Mutism in early childhood: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/which-standardised-tools-are-used-to-assess-selective-mutism-in-early-childhood
- Selective Mutism Screening & Diagnostic Pathway in Under-7s: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-recommended-screening-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-selective-mutism-in-children-under-7
- How AbilityScore Tracks Progress in Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- How Selective Mutism Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-selective-mutism-assessed-in-a-young-child
- How Is Selective Mutism Assessed in Children Under 7?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-selective-mutism-assessed-in-children-under-7
- What an AbilityScore of 0–100 Means for a Child with Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- AbilityScore® 100–200 in Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- What an AbilityScore of 300–400 Means in Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- What an AbilityScore® of 400–500 means in Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- What an AbilityScore of 500–600 means for Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- What does an AbilityScore of 600-700 mean for a child with Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-selective-mutism

### Explore therapy & support
- Supporting a Child with Selective Mutism Day to Day: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-grandparent-or-caregiver-how-can-i-support-a-child-with-selective-mutism-day-to-day
- Can a child with Selective Mutism attend a mainstream school?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-selective-mutism-attend-a-mainstream-school
- Can a Child with Selective Mutism Attend a Regular School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-selective-mutism-attend-a-regular-school
- Can a Child with Selective Mutism Grow Up to Live Independently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-selective-mutism-grow-up-to-live-independently
- How can a classroom teacher help a child with Selective Mutism take part and learn?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-classroom-teacher-help-a-child-with-selective-mutism-take-part-and-learn
- Selective Mutism in District Early Intervention Programmes: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-district-early-intervention-programme-identify-and-support-children-under-7-with-selective-mutism
- How can a teacher include and support a young child with Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-include-and-support-a-young-child-with-selective-mutism-in-a-mainstream-classroom
- How can we support emotional development in a child with Selective Mutism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-emotional-development-in-a-child-with-selective-mutism
- How does therapy help a child with Selective Mutism make progress?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-therapy-help-a-child-with-selective-mutism-make-progress
- How Is Selective Mutism Diagnosed in a Child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-selective-mutism-diagnosed-in-a-child
- How Therapy Supports a Child with Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-selective-mutism-supported-through-therapy
- Selective Mutism AbilityScore — what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-selective-mutism-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I support my child with Selective Mutism at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-my-child-with-selective-mutism-at-home