Speech Therapy for Children with Selective Mutism in Phnom Penh: Finding Their Voice

It’s a situation many parents in Phnom Penh quietly face: a child who speaks freely at home but goes completely silent at school, during therapy, or around unfamiliar people. This isn’t stubbornness—it may be Selective Mutism, a complex anxiety-based condition that affects a child’s ability to speak in certain settings.

At OrbRom Center, we offer specialized speech therapy for children with selective mutism, focusing on reducing anxiety, building confidence, and encouraging functional communication in safe, supportive ways. With the right approach, children can learn to use their voice—everywhere, not just at home.

What Is Selective Mutism?
Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder in which a child is capable of speaking but consistently fails to speak in specific social situations, such as school, therapy, or public places. It often begins between ages 2 and 5 and may go unnoticed for years if not properly identified.

Key signs include:

• Speaking normally at home, but being silent in school or other public settings

• Avoiding eye contact and becoming visibly tense when expected to talk

• Whispering or gesturing instead of speaking

• Clinging to parents in social environments

• Expressing worry or fear about talking outside the home

At OrbRom Center, our Developmental Assessments help identify selective mutism and rule out other causes of speech delay.

How Speech Therapy Supports Children with Selective Mutism
While selective mutism is rooted in anxiety, speech therapists play a vital role in treatment. At OrbRom Center, our speech-language pathologists work alongside families to gradually increase a child’s comfort and verbal participation in non-home environments.

Our approach includes:

• Comfort-Building Activities: Creating predictable, low-pressure interactions that reduce anxiety

• Desensitization Techniques: Slowly increasing exposure to speaking opportunities with supportive adults

• Augmentative Tools: Using visual supports, choice boards, or whisper phones to support communication

• Parent and Teacher Coaching: Training adults to avoid pressuring the child while still encouraging speech

We work at the child’s pace, focusing first on nonverbal communication and gradually shaping toward verbal expression.

Creating a Safe, Sensory-Aware Environment
Children with selective mutism often have sensory sensitivities and emotional regulation challenges. At OrbRom Center, we provide a calm, inviting therapy space designed to help children feel safe.

We may use tools like the Sensory Peapod to provide deep pressure input, which helps reduce anxiety and promote calm before speaking tasks. For children sensitive to noise or crowds, the Noise Cancelling Headphones can also ease transitions and reduce sensory overwhelm—especially in school settings.

These tools are available for home use through our Sensory Shop, where families can build supportive routines outside of therapy.

What Progress Looks Like
Improvement in selective mutism is typically gradual and requires patience. Progress may include:

• Using gestures or pointing to communicate in new environments

• Whispering to familiar adults in semi-public settings

• Saying single words, then short phrases, in low-pressure therapy sessions

• Building up to full verbal interaction with peers or teachers

We always celebrate small wins and work collaboratively with schools and families to generalize progress across different environments.

Supporting Selective Mutism at Home and School
Parents and teachers are crucial partners in treatment. Our therapists provide guidance such as:

• Avoiding direct questions or pressure to speak

• Modeling calm, slow speech and affirming any form of communication

• Allowing nonverbal responses (e.g., pointing, nodding) when needed

• Using “brave talking” charts and reward systems to encourage small steps

We also recommend integrating calming tools like the Sleep Sound Machine into bedtime routines to improve rest—vital for children managing social anxiety.

Why Phnom Penh Families Choose OrbRom Center
OrbRom Center is one of the few therapy providers in Cambodia equipped to support children with selective mutism. Our therapists are trained in anxiety-informed speech therapy techniques and offer individualized plans in a warm, non-judgmental setting.

Families trust us for:

• Tailored therapy that matches each child’s comfort level

• Close collaboration with schools and teachers

• Bilingual therapy (Khmer and English)

• A sensory-friendly therapy environment

• Compassionate, experienced therapists who understand anxiety

We believe every child deserves to be heard—on their terms, in their time.

Conclusion: Gentle Steps Toward a Stronger Voice
Selective mutism can be isolating, but it’s also treatable. With the right support, children in Phnom Penh can build confidence, overcome fear, and learn to speak across all environments—not just at home.

At OrbRom Center, we guide families through this journey step by step, combining speech therapy with anxiety-sensitive strategies that truly make a difference.

Explore our Speech Therapy Services to learn how we can help your child find their voice, one word at a time.