Selective Mutism Test is also available in the following languages:
Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Statements: | 20 |
| Duration: | 3–5 minutes |
| Type: | Self-assessment |
| Seminal work: | In Progress |
| Publishing year: | 2025 |
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Instructions: Selective Mutism Test is a self-assessment tool designed to evaluate 5 dimensions of the selective mutism, such as anxiety, communication, Impairment, Consistency and social functioning. The scale consists of 20 statements related to day-to-day experiences, behaviors, and interaction with the social world. For each statement, you need to indicate your level of agreement. | |
Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder where an individual is unable to speak in certain situations, such as at school or in public places, but can speak normally in familiar settings, such as at home or with family. This type of anxiety disorder is not due to language problems or intellectual disabilities but comes from intense social anxiety.
It can also be considered a type of social phobia, as the individual remains silent in front of others due to fear of being judged. People suffering from this type of disorder talk freely at home with family members and friends but remain silent in social or group discussions. They may whisper, use gestures, or express their thoughts by writing them down instead of speech. They may also appear frozen when pressured to speak and avoid eye contact.
Selective Mutism Test tries to measure multiple dimensions of Selective Mutism and the level of impairment. This self-assessment is based on 5 dimensions of Selective Mutism.
Speech in Different Places → Speech
Selective Mutism is not a speech problem or a language problem, but it is avoidance of speaking in certain situations. In this self-assessment test, we try to look at where a person can talk freely and where he/she stays quiet. For example, a person with this disorder may feel comfortable talking with family members but feel uncomfortable talking with classmates or teachers.
Anxiety and Fear → Anxiety
The fear of being judged and the feeling of nervousness in front of others while trying to speak leads to anxiety and avoidance of social situations. People with this type of disorder worries a lot about speaking with strangers. They also feel embarrassed or fearful when others wait for their response.
Other Ways of Talking → Alternatives
People with Selective Mutism love to whisper, point, and nod because they want to make their speech short and try to avoid situations where they may be dragged to speak a lot. They feel comfortable using gestures instead of speaking words. They also let others talk for them and like to communicate in writing. They may use chatting tools instead of a direct phone call.
Problems in Life → Impairment
People with Selective Mutism can live a normal life, but the quality of daily life depends on the level of impairment in day-to-day activities due to the avoidance of social situations. People with this disorder struggle to make friends, and their academic and professional life gets affected by not speaking about their problems and not asking for help.
How Long/How Often → Consistency
This assessment tries to look at how long the problem has lasted and how often it happens. Some people with Selective Mutism always remain silent and avoid speaking even a single word, but others may talk less in public than at home. People with severe impairment may stop talking at all, even when they feel safe.
