Selective Mutism Quiz:

Does My Child Have Selective Mutism?

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that affects young children and can be a result of many factors but it can also be successfully treated. Take our shyness quiz to see if they may be suffering from selective mutism.

Prepared By: Lindsay Scharfstein, Ph.D.

Take Our Quiz: Is it Shyness or Selective Mutism?

Question 1:

Does your child/student have difficulty talking to new people, despite having some time to ‘warm-up’ to the person or the situation?

Yes

Question 2:

Does your child/student freely verbalize and even appear ‘chatty’ at home, but is mostly or completely silent at school or around new peers or adults?

Yes

Question 3:

Does your child/student mostly or completely use nonverbal communication, like gestures, nodding, shrugging, or pointing, instead of speaking directly with others?

Yes

Question 4:

Does your child/student seem to ‘freeze’ and is silent when asked basic questions, like name, age, or grade, even when asked by an adult, relative, or classmate that he/she is familiar with?

Yes

Question 5:

Does your child/student avoid engaging verbally with adults or peers in other ways (e.g., talking about interests, answering questions in class, asking for help), even if he/she knows them and is otherwise comfortable with them?

Yes

Question 6:

Do classmates, friends and/or adults refer to your child/student as someone who ‘does not speak?’

Yes

Question 7:

Do these issues make it hard for your child/student to make friends (e.g. ask others to play), participate in the classroom (e.g., answer questions, ask for help), and get his/her needs met (e.g., ask to use the bathroom, tell an adult if hurt or in pain)?

Yes

Question 8:

Have these issues lasted longer than 1 month (if it is the first month of school) or longer than 6 months (if it is the first year attending school)?

Yes

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You answered Yes to question(s).

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions, your child/student might have selective mutism or symptoms of anxiety. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder in which children do not speak in school, extracurricular or community activities, sports, etc., despite speaking at home or in other settings. The good news is that selective mutism can be successfully treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, which will help you and your child/student to learn how to effectively manage speaking anxiety in social situations. If you or your child/student are experiencing any of the above symptoms, and they are negatively interfering in daily life, it might be time to seek help.

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed professional. To begin your search for a mental health professional, go to the ADAA's Therapist Directory or Selective Mutism Association.

What is Selective Mutism? SM Treatments