Elective mutism

Elective mutism is an outdated term which was defined as a refusal to speak in almost all social situations (despite normal ability to do so), while selective mutism was considered to be a failure to speak in specific situations and is strongly associated with social anxiety disorder.^[1] In contrast to selective mutism, it was thought someone who was electively mute may not speak in any situation, as is usually shown in books and films. Elective mutism was often attributed to defiance or the effect of trauma. Those who are able to speak freely in some situations but not in others are now better described by selective mutism.^[2]

^ Harris, Holly F. (January 1996). "Elective Mutism: A Tutorial". Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 27 (1): 10–15. doi:10.1044/0161-1461.2701.10. ISSN 0161-1461.
^ Johnson, Maggie; Wintgens, Alison (2016). The Selective Mutism Resource Manual (2nd ed.). Routledge & CRC Press. ISBN 9781909301337.

[1] Harris, Holly F. (January 1996). "Elective Mutism: A Tutorial". Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 27 (1): 10–15. doi:10.1044/0161-1461.2701.10. ISSN 0161-1461.

[2] Johnson, Maggie; Wintgens, Alison (2016). The Selective Mutism Resource Manual (2nd ed.). Routledge & CRC Press. ISBN 9781909301337.

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