What are the symptoms of selective mutism?
Symptoms of selective mutism vary, but the most common is a child’s consistent inability to speak in certain settings despite being able to talk freely at home. Other signs include:
- Appearing “frozen” or expressionless in social situations
- Using gestures or facial expressions instead of speech
- Extreme shyness or withdrawal around unfamiliar people
- Anxiety that worsens when attention is placed on them
- Reliance on parents or siblings to “speak for them.”