Do I Have Selective Mutism Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. When you know you may soon be called on to speak, what happens inside you?
I may prefer not to speak, but my body and thoughts remain settled.
I notice mild nervousness that passes once I begin.
Tension or racing thoughts make it hard to get started.
Intense fear or freezing makes spoken words feel inaccessible.
2. A familiar person asks you an easy question while other people are nearby. Which response fits best?
I answer aloud much as I would in private.
I answer aloud after some hesitation.
I use a nod, gesture, whisper, or one-word reply instead.
No spoken answer comes out even though I know what I want to say.
3. How does your speech in a comfortable private setting compare with your speech in more demanding settings?
There is no meaningful difference in how available my speech feels.
I am somewhat quieter in demanding settings but can still converse.
I speak normally in comfortable settings but only minimally elsewhere.
I speak freely in comfortable settings but repeatedly cannot speak at all in particular settings.
4. How has difficulty speaking affected friendships, family interactions, or other relationships?
It has not noticeably limited connection or caused misunderstandings.
It occasionally makes interactions awkward or shorter than I want.
People often misunderstand my silence, or I struggle to build or maintain connections.
It has led to major isolation, repeated conflict, or loss of important relationships.
5. In a class, meeting, or group activity, how does speaking difficulty affect your participation?
I can contribute in the ways the situation requires.
I contribute less often than I would like but can speak when needed.
I regularly miss chances to ask, answer, or share because speech becomes difficult.
I am unable to participate aloud even when the matter is important.
6. Someone unexpectedly asks you a direct question in front of others. Which reaction is closest?
I can gather my thoughts and respond without a freeze reaction.
I feel briefly startled but answer after a moment.
My mind goes partly blank, and I struggle to form a spoken response.
My body or mind locks up so fully that I cannot answer aloud.
7. During a difficult speaking moment, how strong are physical reactions such as tightness, shaking, nausea, a racing heart, or feeling stuck?
I do not notice a physical anxiety response tied to speaking.
I notice mild sensations that do not block speech.
The sensations are strong and make speaking much harder.
The reaction is overwhelming and accompanies a complete inability to speak.
8. In a school, workplace, appointment, or social setting where people expect you to speak, what usually happens?
My voice is generally available, even if I feel shy or reserved.
I sometimes need a short pause before I can speak.
I often rely on very short replies, whispering, or gestures.
I can become completely unable to produce words aloud.
9. How long has a recurring situation-dependent difficulty speaking been present?
I have not experienced a recurring pattern like this.
It occurred on one isolated occasion.
It has recurred for several days or weeks.
It has persisted for at least a month or repeatedly returned over a longer period.
10. When you need help, clarification, food, a bathroom, medical attention, or another essential need, what happens?
I can communicate the need aloud when necessary.
I hesitate but eventually say what I need.
I often need to write, gesture, or ask someone else to speak for me.
I have gone without necessary help or care because I could not communicate the need by any available method.
11. If someone keeps encouraging you to speak after you have gone quiet, what tends to happen?
Encouragement does not interfere with my ability to respond.
I become a little more self-conscious but can still answer.
The added attention increases tension and further restricts my speech.
The pressure intensifies a complete freeze or panic-like reaction.
12. How much outside support do you currently need to manage situations where speech becomes difficult?
I do not need special support for situation-dependent speaking difficulty.
Occasional patience or extra response time is enough.
I regularly need written options, advance planning, or another person to help me communicate.
Even with available support, I sometimes cannot communicate important needs or complete essential activities.
13. You are considering an event, course, job task, or appointment that may require speaking. How does that affect your choice?
Speaking requirements do not determine whether I take part.
I feel reluctant but usually participate.
I sometimes decline, leave early, or change plans to avoid speaking.
I routinely give up important opportunities or necessary appointments because speaking feels impossible.
14. Before an upcoming class, meeting, appointment, or gathering, how much do speaking demands occupy your thoughts?
I do not spend time worrying about whether I will be able to speak.
I occasionally think about it but can redirect my attention.
I repeatedly rehearse, worry, or plan ways to avoid being called on.
The anticipation becomes overwhelming or makes attending feel impossible.
15. Across recent weeks, how predictable has the loss or restriction of speech been in certain settings?
It has not been a recurring feature of any setting.
It has happened occasionally without a consistent setting pattern.
It has happened repeatedly in one or more recognizable situations.
It happens nearly every time I enter at least one setting where speech is expected.