elective mutism

elective mutism Complete lack of speech, believed to be chosen on the part of the patient. True elective mutism may be a reaction to a traumatic event, the aftermath of damage to or pain in the mouth or throat, or a symptom of extreme shyness. In other cases, the lack of speech is eventually found not to be chosen, but rather a symptom of damage or deformity of the speech apparatus or of autism. See also selective mutism.