Selective Mutism is described as

Selective Mutism is described as

• A. Separation Anxiety Disorder
• B. Reactive Attachment Disorder
• C. Selective Mutism
• D. Delirium

Answer: (C)

Selective mutism is an anxiety-based communication disorder characterized by a consistent inability to speak in specific social situations where speaking is expected, despite having the ability to speak in other settings. The hallmark is that the child speaks freely in familiar environments, like at home, but remains silent in places such as school or social gatherings, causing impairment in functioning. This pattern is not due to a language barrier or a general speech problem and is often linked to intense fear or anxiety about speaking in those social contexts. This description fits best because the other conditions describe different issues: separation anxiety focuses on distress related to separating from a caregiver, reactive attachment disorder involves difficulties forming healthy attachments due to early relational neglect or abuse, and delirium is an acute cognitive disturbance with fluctuating attention and awareness.

Selective mutism is an anxiety-based communication disorder characterized by a consistent inability to speak in specific social situations where speaking is expected, despite having the ability to speak in other settings. The hallmark is that the child speaks freely in familiar environments, like at home, but remains silent in places such as school or social gatherings, causing impairment in functioning. This pattern is not due to a language barrier or a general speech problem and is often linked to intense fear or anxiety about speaking in those social contexts.

This description fits best because the other conditions describe different issues: separation anxiety focuses on distress related to separating from a caregiver, reactive attachment disorder involves difficulties forming healthy attachments due to early relational neglect or abuse, and delirium is an acute cognitive disturbance with fluctuating attention and awareness.