selective mutism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowClinical, academic, educational, formal
Quick answer
What does “selective mutism” mean?
An anxiety disorder in which a person, typically a child, is consistently unable to speak in specific social situations where there is an expectation for speech (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An anxiety disorder in which a person, typically a child, is consistently unable to speak in specific social situations where there is an expectation for speech (e.g., school), despite speaking comfortably in other settings (e.g., at home).
Beyond the clinical definition, it can refer more broadly to any persistent, context-specific inability or refusal to speak, often rooted in extreme social anxiety, trauma, or a communicative choice. It is not a choice or defiance but a neurological inhibition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the term is standard in professional contexts in both regions. Spelling follows regional norms for other words in a sentence (e.g., behaviour/behavior).
Connotations
Identical clinical and educational connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard within psychiatry, psychology, and special education in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “selective mutism” in a Sentence
[Person/Child] has/experiences/suffers from selective mutism.[Selective mutism] is characterised by [inability to speak in specific situations].[Treatment/Therapy] aims to alleviate selective mutism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “selective mutism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The school is working to support the child who presents with selective mutism.
- She was assessed for selectively muting in classroom settings.
American English
- The therapist is helping the child overcome selective mutism.
- He was diagnosed as selectively mute at age five.
adjective
British English
- The selective mutism assessment took place over several weeks.
- They followed a selective mutism intervention plan.
American English
- The selective mutism specialist provided key strategies.
- They attended a selective mutism support group.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare; might appear in HR contexts regarding employee support or occupational health.
Academic
Common in psychology, psychiatry, education, and speech-language pathology journals and textbooks.
Everyday
Rare; used mainly by parents, teachers, or individuals directly affected, often in support group discussions.
Technical
Standard diagnostic term in the DSM-5 and ICD-10/11. Used by clinicians, therapists, and educational psychologists.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “selective mutism”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “selective mutism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “selective mutism”
- Using 'selective mutism' to describe someone who is simply quiet or introverted.
- Confusing it with autism, though they can be comorbid.
- Thinking the person is 'choosing' not to speak (the older term 'elective mutism' implied this, which is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Shyness is a personality trait involving discomfort, but speech is still possible. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where the individual is physically unable to speak in specific settings, despite wanting to.
Yes. While it typically begins in early childhood, it can persist into adolescence and adulthood if untreated. Adults may experience it in specific high-pressure contexts like work meetings.
Treatment typically involves behavioural therapies like graduated exposure and stimulus fading, often combined with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and, in some cases, family therapy or medication for underlying anxiety.
No. Pressure increases anxiety and reinforces the mutism. Supportive strategies focus on reducing anxiety, using non-verbal communication initially, and creating low-pressure opportunities for speech.
An anxiety disorder in which a person, typically a child, is consistently unable to speak in specific social situations where there is an expectation for speech (e.
Selective mutism is usually clinical, academic, educational, formal in register.
Selective mutism: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˌlɛktɪv ˈmjuːtɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˌlɛktɪv ˈmjuːtɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MUTE button on a remote that is only SELECTively pressed in certain social 'channels' (like school), not at the home 'channel'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS A FLUID; ANXIETY IS A BLOCKAGE. Selective mutism is a context-specific blockage in the flow of speech.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary factor distinguishing selective mutism from general shyness?