Mutism is a condition characterized by the absence of spoken speech despite the physical ability to speak. A person with mutism is not producing oral language, which can occur for various reasons – for example, due to profound hearing loss (historically termed “deaf mutism”), neurological injury, or psychological factors. One well-known type is selective mutism, an anxiety-based disorder in which a child is talkative in some settings (like home) but consistently cannot speak in other settings (like school).
Speech-language pathologists encounter mutism when evaluating clients who do not speak; they must determine the underlying cause (e.g., anxiety, neurological damage, or developmental disorder) and often collaborate with psychologists or other professionals to support the individual’s communication (using alternative modalities or gently encouraging speech in safe environments).
Altshuler, Lori L., Jeffrey L. Cummings, and Michael J. Mills. “Mutism: Review, Differential Diagnosis, and Report of 22 Cases.” The American Journal of Psychiatry 143, no. 11 (1986): 1409–1414. Link
Wong, Priscilla. “Selective Mutism: A Review of Etiology, Comorbidities, and Treatment.” Psychiatry (Edgmont) 7, no. 3 (2010): 23–31. Link
