Melanie Manderino is finally ready to talk. The 18-year-old struggled with selective mutism, an extreme anxiety disorder in which someone is unable to speak in social settings, for the better part of ...

Selective mutism is a rare childhood anxiety disorder in which a child experiences a trigger response and is unable to speak in certain situations or to certain people. It is not a form of shyness, ...

Parents fear children stuck at home for almost a year during the coronavirus pandemic, will lose critical social skills. And children with selective mutism, a severe form of anxiety, will lose even ...

After struggling with selective mutism throughout her childhood, Erin Silvia shares how she overcame the anxiety disorder Courtesy of Erin Silvia As a child, Erin Silvia struggled to speak to anyone ...

Mother Joanna Stephenson (middle) has started a petition calling for more support for children with selective mutism, signed by hundreds of parents Parents say they are "angry" and "frustrated" that ...

Chelsea Jenkins and her family. When Chelsea Jenkins' 4-year-old daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with selective mutism in January 2026, the 33-year-old mother of four immediately began searching for ...

Belle* is six years old. Like many children, she is a playful and often boisterous child at home with her family. Unlike many children, she has an anxiety disorder which renders her speechless and ...

A year before I started school, I developed selective mutism. My mouth felt emphatically numb in situations where I felt uncomfortable. The inability to find any words to speak became even more ...

A local filmmaker produced a documentary about selective mutism, which has a higher prevalence among girls and children from bilingual households. As a journalist, I constantly speak to people.

Melanie Manderino has finally found her voice after dealing with selective mutism for the better part of her life Courtesy of Melanie Manderino Melanie Manderino has struggled with selective mutism ...

Why are we asking for donations? Why are we asking for donations? This site is free thanks to our community of supporters. Voluntary donations from readers like you keep our news accessible for ...