Selective Mutism

Question 1

Selective Mutism Criteria A

Answer 1

Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking (e.g., at school) despite speaking in other situations.

Question 2

Selective Mutism Criteria B

Answer 2

The disturbance interferes with educational or occupational achievement or with social communication.

Question 3

Selective Mutism Criteria C

Answer 3

The duration of the disturbance is at least 1 month (not limited to the first month of school).

Question 4

Selective Mutism Criteria D

Answer 4

The failure to speak is not attributable to a lack of knowledge of, or comfort with, the spoken language required in the social situation.

Question 5

Selective Mutism Criteria E

Answer 5

The disturbance is not better explained by a communication disorder (e.g., childhood onset fluency disorder) and does not occur exclusively during the course of autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or another psychotic disorder.