Selective Mutism and Stress-Induced Mutism

Specialist support for children, young people, families and schools

Every Child is Different, and So is the Support They Need

While Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder, no two children present in exactly the same way.

Many children and young people I support also have:

  • Autism

  • ADHD

  • Developmental Language Disorder

  • Speech sound difficulties

  • Sensory processing differences

  • Emotion regulation difficulties

  • Emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA)

Current evidence suggests that Selective Mutism and Autism are separate but frequently co-occurring conditions. A child can meet criteria for both diagnoses and support should take account of both profiles.

Three young children playing with Play-Doh at a classroom table, while a woman guides them.

Recent developments within the Selective Mutism field have highlighted the importance of understanding the reason behind a child's communication difficulties.

Some children experience Selective Mutism, where speech is affected by anxiety linked to particular people or social situations.

Others may experience Stress-Induced Mutism, where speech becomes difficult during periods of significant stress, sensory overload, emotional overwhelm, burnout or following traumatic experiences. In these situations, the focus should be on understanding and reducing the source of stress rather than increasing speaking demands.

Understanding these differences is important because different presentations require different support approaches.

Looking Beyond the Mutism

Which lens are we looking through?

Young lady receiving speech and language support at a table, surrounded by colorful pens and papers in a bright, cozy room with large windows.
Young lady receiving speech and language support at a table, surrounded by colorful pens and papers in a bright, cozy room with large windows.

My approach

My approach is neurodiversity-affirming, collaborative and evidence-informed.

  • What is making communication difficult

    The child's individual strengths and needs

    Environmental factors that may be contributing

    Whether anxiety, sensory differences, communication needs or other factors are playing a role

  • Parent coaching and consultation

    Nursery and school staff training

    Reducing communication pressure

    Building emotional safety and trust

    Supporting all forms of communication

    Environmental adaptations

    Identifying and reducing maintaining factors

    Graduated intervention approaches where appropriate, such as ‘Sliding In’, ‘Small Steps’ and ‘Graded Exposure’ programmes

    Multidisciplinary working alongside schools, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and other professionals

  • Selective Mutism

  • Selective Mutism and Autism

  • Stress Induced Mutism

  • Anxiety-based communication differences

  • Co-occurring neurodevelopmental needs

  • Complex and overlapping presentations

  • Emotionally based school non attendance (EBSNA)

  • Young people with longstanding Selective Mutism

  • Cases requiring multidisciplinary assessment and planning

  • Education Other Than In School (EOTIS) packages

My aim is not simply to increase speech. It is to help children and young people feel safe, understood and able to participate meaningfully in the environments that matter most to them.

Areas of support

Free 15-Minute Initial Telephone Consultation

I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation to discuss your concerns, answer questions and help determine whether Speech and Language Therapy may be appropriate for your child or young person.