Early Roots

We have a new episode, all about selective mutism. This is an anxiety disorder characterized by a lack of speech only in specific environments (typically school). It is a fairly rare disorder (1% of children) but something I see in my office at a much higher percentage. Like a lot of other childhood anxiety disorders and symptoms it is common for children with selective mutism to have a highly underdeveloped and over-reactive stress response. Changing this can be hugely helpful for children in this situation.