Lisa Fosello first recognized that her son, Joseph, was acting differently than most children when he was in preschool. Then three-and-a-half years old, Joseph played alone and would not speak to his ...

With the clock ticking, Chelsea Jenkins tells PEOPLE that “early intervention matters more than most people realize,” especially with selective mutism ...

There are several risk factors for selective mutism, all of which play a key role in the development of the disorder. These factors include a family history of anxiety, speech issues, language ...

With early and appropriate treatment, selective mutism can be successfully treated. Prognosis is excellent in children and adolescents who receive timely treatment for the disorder. However, in the ...

Mother Joanna Stephenson (middle) has started a petition calling for more support for children with selective mutism, signed by hundreds of parents Parents say they are "angry" and "frustrated" that ...

Chelsea Jenkins and her family. When Chelsea Jenkins' 4-year-old daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with selective mutism in January 2026, the 33-year-old mother of four immediately began searching for ...