Selective mutism

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Selective Mutism

Although this is not classified as a child anxiety disorder, selective mutism is often seen around the time that children enter school for the first time, and can be accompanied by anxiety. The essential feature of 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. In order to be diagnosed with selective mutism, the person's speech refusal must interfere with educational or occupational achievement or with social ...