How Do You Get Counseling For Teens With Selective Mutism?
Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder that causes an inability to speak in certain social settings. For children and teens with SM, the school setting is a major source of anxiety. Many children are identified as having SM when they are young, but because SM is not as well known as other psychological disorders, it’s often mistaken for shyness, and the child is not identified until later in life. Learn about selective mutism (SM) as an anxiety disorder. While children and adolescents with SM are often mistaken as merely shy, SM is a much more debilitating and complex condition than shyness and can stem from a social phobia. Observe your teen to determine whether he or she is struggling with SM. If teachers have been telling you for years that your child doesn’t speak in class, and this same child is talkative at home and with peers outside of school, consider seeking evaluation and treatment for SM. Seek counseling or therapy for the teen once he has been diagnosed with SM throu
