What characterizes selective mutism?

Selective mutism is characterized by the inability to communicate verbally in specific social situations despite being able to speak fluently in other contexts, such as at home or with close family members. This condition often manifests in children who may talk freely in familiar settings but become silent in settings like school or while interacting with peers. This highlights the selective nature of the mutism, where the individual is capable of speech but only chooses to exercise that ability in certain environments.

In contrast, the ability to speak fluently in all situations does not align with the characteristics of selective mutism, nor do the concepts of experiencing speech difficulties in all contexts or complete loss of speech accurately describe the condition. Individuals with selective mutism typically retain the capacity for speech; they simply do not use it in specific situations due to anxiety or social discomfort.