When Shyness Isn’t Just Shyness – How Speech Therapy Helps Selective Mutism in Phnom Penh

In Phnom Penh classrooms, it’s not uncommon for teachers to encounter a student who speaks confidently at home but remains completely silent at school. While this may be dismissed as extreme shyness, it could be something more complex: Selective Mutism.

Selective Mutism is an anxiety-based communication disorder where a child is able to speak in some situations (like at home) but consistently fails to speak in other expected settings (such as school or social activities), despite having the ability to do so. At OrbRom Center, we support children with Selective Mutism through individualized speech therapy programs that combine language development with emotional and behavioral support.

If your child—or a student you know—shows signs of silence in school but speaks normally at home, this blog will help you understand the condition and how speech therapy in Phnom Penh can make a transformative difference.

What Is Selective Mutism?

Selective Mutism is not a speech delay or defiance—it is a form of social communication anxiety. Children with Selective Mutism may be talkative and expressive in safe environments but go completely silent in others due to anxiety.

Key signs include:

• Consistent silence in school or public places despite speaking normally at home

• Use of gestures or nodding instead of verbal responses

• Avoiding eye contact or group activities

• Freezing when asked to speak in unfamiliar settings

• Lasting longer than one month (not just a new adjustment phase)

It often begins between ages 2 and 5, typically becoming more noticeable when children enter preschool or school for the first time.

The Role of Speech Therapy in Treating Selective Mutism

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our speech therapists work closely with children, parents, and teachers to gently encourage verbal expression in new settings while respecting the child’s emotional state. Our treatment is non-pressuring and anxiety-informed.

Speech therapy goals include:

• Building trust and comfort with the therapist

• Establishing communication using nonverbal methods (pointing, pictures, whispering)

• Gradual desensitization to verbal speech in safe, low-pressure environments

• Role-playing and scripting conversations to build confidence

• Coaching parents and teachers on supportive communication strategies

We may also collaborate with mental health professionals if additional anxiety support is needed, ensuring the child receives holistic care.

Explore our approach on the Speech Therapy Services page.

Supporting Selective Mutism at Home and School

Progress in Selective Mutism requires consistency and support across environments. Here’s how parents and teachers in Phnom Penh can help:

• Don’t pressure the child to speak

• Allow alternative responses (e.g., pointing, writing, drawing)

• Use visual supports like picture cards or a communication board

• Model calm, patient behavior—avoid drawing attention to silence

• Celebrate small wins, like eye contact, participation, or whispering

Over time, with the right support, most children begin to speak more freely in social settings.

Sensory Tools That Support Emotional Regulation

Children with Selective Mutism often have underlying sensory sensitivities or regulation challenges. Creating a calm environment can significantly reduce anxiety and improve readiness to communicate. Our Sensory Shop includes tools used by therapists and parents to support children’s emotional well-being:

• Noise Cancelling Headphones: Help reduce overwhelming auditory input in noisy settings like classrooms or public spaces

• Sensory Peapod: Provides deep pressure input that calms the nervous system and improves emotional control

• Sleep Sound Machine: Supports consistent sleep routines, which is essential for managing stress and anxiety

These tools can be used at home or in therapy sessions to foster a regulated, safe space for communication.

Getting Started with Speech Therapy in Phnom Penh

If your child consistently avoids speaking in certain situations despite having the ability to speak, don’t wait. Selective Mutism can be addressed effectively with early, compassionate intervention.

At OrbRom Center, we offer assessments, therapy plans, and parent consultations designed specifically for children with communication-based anxiety. We’ll guide you every step of the way—from understanding the diagnosis to building a plan that helps your child find their voice again.

Visit our Speech Therapy Services page or contact us to book an initial consultation in Phnom Penh.