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Boston Child Study Center- Boston, MA
Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders Selective Mutism Program - Boston, MA

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Since starting treatments, situations that used to be difficult for Harper were now "doable".
Harper underwent the SMart Center's Individual Intensive Program, which is when clinician will recommend tailored strategies, tactics, and school-based accommodations. Treatment will start on the same day as the patients evaluation. Following the first session, parents will receive treatment plans for techniques the child can use in the real world as well as in a school setting.
Harper, after undergoing this treatment, is significantly more commutative and less anxious. She is now stepping outside of her comfort zone and engaging in new situations.

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Children with selective mutism should begin working with a mental health provider, partake in specialized behavior therapy with techniques that prompt speech and reinforce successful speaking experiences with praise and small incentives. Have children face situations that make them anxious, not avoid them, but they should never be coaxed or pushed to speak. The pace of treatment should be gradual and not difficult. Goal is to help children gain confidence with successful speaking experiences.

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Children show signs of severe anxiety, frequent tantrums and crying, moodiness, inflexibility, sleeping problems and extreme shyness.

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Selective mutism is diagnosed by a professional, rely heavily on reports from parents and other adults in the child's life because young anxious children may have difficulty participating in interviews. Might request home videos of the child in their "place of strength", and observe them alone with their parents. Child must be able to speak in some settings but not others, must last for more than a month (not the first month of school) and interfere with activities such as school and social activities.

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What can I do to communicate better with a person who has this?

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What can I do to communicate better with a person who has this?

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Start off with talking around the child, focusing on parents and/or siblings.
Get down on the child's level and focus on a prop. Ask child questions while still focusing on the prop. Repeat the question if needed.
Allow the child to hesitate.
Accept nonverbal communication such as nodding, pointing, gesturing, etc.
This communication is the first step in gaining the trust of the child.
Try things such as games, cooking, and art projects and during these activities ask the child questions

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https://selectivemutismcenter.org/whatisselectivemutism/
https://childmind.org/guide/selective-mutism/selective-mutism-diagnosis/
https://www.selectivemutism.org/find-help/find-a-treating-professional/
https://selectivemutismcenter.org/smart-center-success-stories/
https://selectivemutismcenter.org/dos-donts-for-interacting-with-those-with-selective-mutism/

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Selective mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder where a child is unable to speak and communicate effectively in select social settings, such as school, but are able to speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable, secure, and relaxed.