Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc.

About Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc.

The Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc., is a national, non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to developing and disseminating educational materials on selective mutism (SM) to affected individuals, families, professionals, and the general public; increasing the knowledge and sensitivity of professionals who treat individuals experiencing selective mutism; finding the cause and cure for this condition; improving treatments and medications for selective mutism; and developing and implementing interventions in public schools. In addition, the foundation promotes ongoing research and develops educational testing materials. Selective mutism (SM), formerly known as elective mutism, is a psychiatric disorder most commonly found in children. It is characterized by a persistent failure (for more than one month) to speak in select settings. Affected children understand spoken language and have the ability to speak. In most cases, affected children speak to their parents and a few selected others. In some cases, they do not speak to certain individuals in their household. The exact cause of this disorder is not known.