elective mutism

Last reviewed 01/2018

Elective mutism is a condition where a child selectively refuses to speak according to particular circumstances.

It is a rare condition, diagnosed in less than 1% of children who attend child psychiatric clinics. The cause is unknown.

Often speech is normal at home but lacking at school. There is no organic cause of the mutism, just a refusal to speak in certain situations. There is often negative behaviour associated with this condition, e.g. refusing to sit down or play when invited to do so. This condition usually occurs in 3-5 years olds, i.e. after speech has normally been acquired.

The condition may last for months or years. However, the long-term prognosis is good and the condition usually resolves. There is no evidence that treatment interventions are effective in this condition.