Welcome to this group for parents, teachers and friends of children with Selective Mutism. Children with SM usually do not speak in public although they often will speak to other children. SM is caused by extreme anxiety, the child appears to be very shy, but it is much more than this. For information about selective mutism, please see our links and files plus there are some excellent Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at http://www.selectivemutism.org/faq This group is a place to share ideas, support others and make friends with others who understand what you are going through. Members who join promise to send e-mails containing words of kindness and compassion to each other and without the use of rudeness, racism, or blame. Please feel free to express your feelings, tell your stories, and read the archives as to what others have written. We hope you and your child will be able to use our support group as a stepping stone to having your child overcome SM. Please click on the little globe and put your place marker on the map (it helps to zoom first to make it easier for you to be more accurate).