Some children speak freely at home but become almost completely silent in certain settings, such as school or around unfamiliar people -- a pattern that can be easy to mistake for simple shyness, but sometimes points to something that benefits from professional support.
How This Differs From Ordinary Shyness
Shy children often warm up gradually in a new setting; a child with selective mutism may remain consistently unable to speak in specific situations over weeks or months, even once they seem comfortable there in other ways.
Common Signs Parents Notice
Parents often describe a child who talks normally at home or with close family, but who freezes, whispers only to one trusted person, or avoids speaking entirely at school, with teachers sometimes raising this before parents do.
How a Speech-Language Evaluation Can Help
Dr. Murli Singh notes that an evaluation looks at the child's communication across different settings and relationships, which helps clarify whether what's being seen fits a pattern like selective mutism or reflects something else entirely.
Getting Support
If you've noticed your child consistently not speaking in certain settings, Call 9990555423 or 8796958310, or message us on WhatsApp, to arrange a consultation.