SARTHAK HEARING CARE BLOG
My Child Talks at Home But Won't Speak at School — Could It Be Selective Mutism?
Some children chat freely at home but become completely silent at school, with relatives, or in certain social situations. When this pattern persists, it is sometimes described as selective mutism.
What Selective Mutism Can Look Like
A child may speak normally in comfortable settings like home but be unable to speak in other settings such as school or around unfamiliar people, often linked to anxiety in those specific situations rather than a general speech or language problem.
How It's Different From Shyness or a Speech Delay
Occasional shyness is common and usually fades with familiarity, but selective mutism persists consistently in specific settings over time, and doesn't necessarily involve any difficulty with vocabulary, articulation or language skills at home.
Why an Evaluation Matters
Because selective mutism often involves both communication and anxiety, an evaluation may involve a speech-language professional alongside other specialists, to understand a child's communication skills and the situations where speaking becomes difficult.
What Can Help a Child Build Confidence Speaking
Gradual, low-pressure approaches that build comfort in new settings are generally used, done in coordination with professionals, rather than pressuring a child to speak - every child's plan is different.
Book a Communication Evaluation
If your child stays silent at school but talks freely at home, contact Sarthak Hearing Care to discuss an evaluation with Dr. Murli Singh or Sarthak Nehra. Call: 9625554548 / 9891242568
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ANSWERS FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
My Child Talks at Home But Won't Speak at School — Could It Be Selective Mutism? FAQs
Is selective mutism the same as being shy?
No. Shyness usually eases with familiarity, while selective mutism involves a more consistent pattern of not speaking in specific settings over time, even when the child is clearly comfortable speaking elsewhere.
Does selective mutism mean my child has a language delay?
Not necessarily. Many children with selective mutism have typical language skills at home; the difficulty is specifically about speaking in certain situations, which is why a proper evaluation is important.
Who should be involved in evaluating this?
Depending on the child, this may involve a speech-language professional and sometimes other specialists, since selective mutism can involve both communication and anxiety-related factors.