Selective Mutism typically begins before which age?

Selective Mutism typically begins before which age?

• A. Typically onset before age 5.
• B. Typically onset after age 18.
• C. Typically onset during middle adulthood.
• D. There is no typical onset age.

Answer: (A)

Selective mutism is a childhood-onset anxiety disorder. Children have normal language development but refuse to speak in specific social settings (like school) while speaking in others. The onset is typically in early childhood, often before they enter school, with many cases evident by age 4 or 5. Onset after adolescence or in adulthood is not typical for this condition, and saying there is no typical onset age isn’t accurate. So the best answer is that onset typically occurs before age 5.

Selective mutism is a childhood-onset anxiety disorder. Children have normal language development but refuse to speak in specific social settings (like school) while speaking in others. The onset is typically in early childhood, often before they enter school, with many cases evident by age 4 or 5. Onset after adolescence or in adulthood is not typical for this condition, and saying there is no typical onset age isn’t accurate. So the best answer is that onset typically occurs before age 5.