70 Selective Mutism Symptoms and 3 Diagnostic Criteria.

This post will talk about:

1. 70 Selective mutism symptoms and behaviors.
2. 3 Diagnostic criteria for selective mutism.
3. Indicators that are not consistent with selective mutism. 

To anyone unaware of selective mutism (as I was four years ago), it’s almost impossible to see the signs and symptoms of this anxiety disorder in a child.

In our situation, my toddler was clingy, sometimes moody, and even bossy. She was also a picky eater and hated her hair being brushed, tugged, or any attempt of mine to put her hair in ponytails.

Before my child was diagnosed with selective mutism, nothing directly pointed to my daughter having a selective mutism anxiety disorder.

What was becoming more and more stressful, however, is my child’s tantrums and clinginess. Later, she stopped talking to her grandparents and became easily irritated by others showing affection towards me or my husband.

When a child is evaluated for selective mutism, it starts with checking off the indicators which serve as selective mutism diagnostic criteria.

Below, you will see three major ones:

1. A child does not speak to peers, adults in school, and other social settings.
2. A child typically speaks in a home or comfortable setting but shuts down (stops talking) when someone (the child does not talk to) approaches a child.
3. A child displays a consistent pattern of not speaking to other people, which stretches beyond the “warming-up” period during the first months of school.

Children with selective mutism may display other behaviors typical to selective mutism, but they may not serve as diagnostic criteria. 

There are some selective mutism symptoms and behaviors that children may display:

A printable version of selective mutism symptoms and behaviors is here.

1. 0 to 100 sadness, anger outbursts
2. Angry when questioned by parents
3. Anxious when a picture is taken
4. Appearing “frozen” when uncomfortable
5. Assertive and domineering behavior at home
6. Awkward body language
7. Behaving very differently at home than in public
8. Being able to nod or gesture only
9. Being unable to assert preferences or make choices
10. Being unable to eat at school and/or in public
11. Being unable to use the bathroom in public
12. Being uncomfortable to be introduced, teased, or criticized
13. Bossiness
14. Clinginess to caregivers
15. Compulsive traits
16. Constipation
17. Covering mouth
18. Defiance
19. Depressive
20. Disliking corrections and reminders
21. Disobedience 
22. He does not like to be hugged, etc.
23. Drama moments “I’m a bad kid…”
24. Easily frustrated
25. Easily frustrated by school work 
26. Embarrassed when eating in front of people
27. Emotional over small things
28. Excessively shy
29. Eye contact avoidance
30. Fear of embarrassment in front of a group
31. Fear of mistakes 
32. Fear of people
33. Fear to make mistakes
34. Fidgeting
35. Having more difficulty answering open-ended questions
36. Having temper tantrums when they get home from school
37. Having trouble initiating speech or gestures
38. Inability to speak in school and other specific social situations
39.  Inflexible
40. Jealous towards parents/siblings
41.  Lack of eye contact when feeling anxious
42. Lacking movement or expression when in feared situations
43. Low self-esteem
44. Mood swings
45. Negativity
46. Not be able to ask for help if hurt, lost, or need to use the restroom
47. Not being able to respond in a group setting
48. Oppositional
49. Perfectionism
50. Picky eater
51. Potty problems
52. Reluctance to speak between 2 and 4 years of age
53. Rude or sulky
54. Running away, hiding when anxious
55. Sensitive to hair being tugged, brushed
56. Sensitive to how clothes fit
57. Sensitivity to food texture, noise, light, voices, smell)
58. Sensitivity to sound
59. Sensitivity to touch (hair brushing, hair tugging)
60. Separation anxiety
61. Shy and withdrawn
62. Socially awkwardness, nervousness, uneasiness
63. Speaking easily in certain situations (usually home), but not others (usually at school)
64. Stiff
65. Stubborn
66. Temper tantrums
67. Tense
68. Timidness
69. Using nonverbal communication to express needs 
70. Using whispering or alternative voice (baby, singing) when anxious

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that impacts a child’s ability to speak in some social settings and with some people. 

It should be noted that there are many reasons a child may not speak. 

When evaluating the child’s speaking patterns and history, it’s essential to rule out the indicators that are not consistent with selective mutism. 

Below, there are some of them: 

• a child has limited speaking in ALL the settings
• a child’s speaking habits are INCONSISTENT (a child speaks to teacher sometimes)
• a child does not talk at all
• a child suddenly stops speaking in a particular setting due to bullying, criticism, etc.)
• a child stopped speaking after a trauma
• a child has some other issues with speech and language development 

Proper diagnosis of selective mutism based on the diagnostic criteria and identification of any other possible conditions/ disabilities accompanying selective mutism are essential in designing adequate treatment with the selective mutism professional and interventions at school.  

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If you liked the information in this post, make sure you explore other posts about selective mutism:

• “What Is Selective Mutism?”
• “Selective Mutism: How To Beat Crisis, Screaming, and Fear.”
• Diagnosis of Selective Mutism: Simple Parent Guide and Steps to Take.
• What Are The Causes of Selective Mutism?
• Is Selective Mutism a Disability?
• How Do You Treat Selective Mutism?

Check out the expanding library of tools. Go to the selective mutism page and scroll to the bottom section, “Latest Projects.”

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