Working within the field of child therapy something I encountered for the first time many years ago (but didn’t have a “label” for yet) is selective mutism. The symptoms of this are characterised when a child who has an ability to communicate verbally does not. Often the child will have to be coaxed and encouraged into making any communication at all, such as gesturing, pointing or signing.

As the mutism is selective there are certain context where the child chooses not to communicate – such as at school or with particular family members. This can be really frustrating for everyone concerned as it may appear to….