Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder in which affected people speak fluently in some situations but remain silent in others. It was once considered rare but is now known to affect more than 6 in 1000 children which is about the same number of children who are affected by classic autism.  Yet still very few professionals are trained in dealing with selective mutism or have very little knowledge of it. The condition is known to begin in early in life and can be transitory, such as on starting school or on being admitted to hospital, but in some cases it may persist and last right through a child's school life, possibly resulting in missed life chances and difficulties communicating in adult life. Early intervention is crucial to completely eradicating the condition in the first few years of a child's life, so selective mutism awareness for parents and professionals along with appropriate information, training and intervention techniques for selective mutism is vital.  "Communication is crucial, it is a fundamental Human right" (John Bercow July 2008)

Here you will find a wealth of information on selective mutism in the U.K. To gain full access to the site, you will need to register in the panel at the top of this page.This site contains:

• About Smira - A background to the charity and the people involved.
• Membership - Find out about Smira membership, which entitles you to receive our newsletters and take part in any events or activities we run from time to time.
• What is Selective Mutism? - Our frequently asked questions.
• Publications - Details of Smira's own publications and other useful books for parents, professionals and children.
• Downloads - Contains a wide range of useful information leaflets, as well as SMIRA Membership Forms and Publication Order Forms for the ‘Silent Children' DVD. (Site registration required).
• News - Keep in touch with SMIRA's activities and any developments in the field of selective mutism generally.
• Members Experiences - Real-life stories submitted by SMIRA members. (Site registration required).
• Web Links- Links to other useful sites for parents and other selective mutism sites the world over.
• Forums - here you can share your experiences with other members, ask for advice or learn about resources, training courses, etc. (Site registration required).
• Donate - You can make a donation to Smira using any credit or debit card through Pay Pal.
• Shop - Browse our online shop.

Smira Mission Statement

SMIRA aims to provide information and support to children suffering from Selective Mutism, for their parents and professional workers involved in the care of such children and to advance the education of the public through information and research.