Wednesday April 9, 2025 | Selective mutism and Autism share some overlapping symptoms

Selective mutism and autism share some overlapping symptoms, particularly related to social anxiety and communication challenges, but differ in the context of these difficulties. Selective mutism is characterized by an inability to speak in specific situations despite being able to speak in others, while autism presents with pervasive social and communication difficulties across various settings. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Selective Mutism:

• Core Feature:

  A persistent inability to speak in specific social situations (e.g., school, around strangers) despite being able to speak in other, more comfortable environments (e.g., home, with close family). 
• Underlying Cause:

  Primarily an anxiety disorder, stemming from a fear of social situations or scrutiny. 
• Other Associated Symptoms:

  • Withdrawal from social interactions 
  • Physical signs of anxiety (sweating, trembling) 
  • Avoidance behaviors 
  • Difficulty expressing emotions verbally or non-verbally 
  • Shyness and social anxiety 
  • Sensitivity to noise and crowds 
• Important Note:

  A child with selective mutism is not intentionally refusing to speak; they are literally unable to do so in certain situations due to anxiety. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

• Core Feature:

  Pervasive difficulties with social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests. 
• Underlying Cause:

  Neurological differences that affect social development and communication. 
• Other Associated Symptoms:

  • Difficulty with social interactions (understanding social cues, initiating or maintaining conversations) 
  • Repetitive behaviors or movements (e.g., stimming, hand flapping) <--- Can you give me an example of repetitive behaviors or movements? 
  • Restricted, intense interests 
  • Sensory sensitivities (e.g., sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights) 
  • Difficulty with language and communication (delayed speech, unusual speech patterns)  Well the language is there but the communication is not there in certain situations. I have a delay in response.

  • Difficulty expressing emotions 
  • Strong preference for familiar routines  (it depends if the anxiety will let me) 
• Important Note:

  Individuals with autism experience social and communication challenges across all settings, not just specific ones.   
• It felt like I was experiencing social and communication challenges across all settings
• when I was about 5.

Overlapping Symptoms:

• Social Anxiety:

  Both conditions can involve significant social anxiety, which can manifest as difficulty in social interactions, fear of social situations, and withdrawal. 
• Communication Challenges:

  Both conditions can present with difficulties in communication, although the nature of these difficulties differs. 
• Sensory Sensitivities:

  Some individuals with autism may also experience sensory sensitivities that can exacerbate anxiety and make communication more challenging. 

Key Differences:

• Context of Difficulty:

  Selective mutism is situational, meaning the inability to speak is limited to specific environments or situations, while autism's challenges are pervasive, affecting social interactions and communication across all settings.
• Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors:

  These are not typically seen in children with selective mutism, but are common features of autism.
• Restricted interests? Where they talk about one interest for hours on end?  Oh yeah Like New Kid on the Block?  But lately I have been trying to make those restricted interests not so what is the word?  Obsessed?  
• Social Interactions:

  Children with autism often have difficulty with social interactions in general, whereas children with selective mutism may have typical social interactions in comfortable settings.