Selective Mutism Information &
Research Association (SMiRA)
What is Selective Mutism?
Selective Mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder which prevents those affected from speaking and communicating in certain situations, such as at school or in public.
About SMiRA
Selective Mutism Information & Research Association
We are the UK's leading Selective Mutism (SM) charity, conducting important and much-needed research. In the UK we feed into other communication-based organisations and eventually into Government.
SMIRA’s team consists mainly of volunteers who all have knowledge of Selective Mutism, whether as parents, professionals or from their own personal experience.
We support groups in other countries, some where SM may have only recently become recognised, and are a respected source of information worldwide.
How can we help?
Most people visit our website because they are looking for help, either for themselves or for a child, student or client.
This website contains information, resources and contacts for parents, teens, adults and professionals (more details below).
We do not provide SM services or therapy ourselves, but the resources here will provide information and guidance to point you in the right direction.
Our Facebook group is also great for support and asking questions, and we have a separate Professionals group which you can apply to join if you are a professional.
Information
A range of informative leaflets, available to download and share.
General Information
Information for Parents
Information for Teens & Adults
Information for Professionals
Getting help with Selective Mutism
Information on pathways to access help via school, the NHS, and other professionals can be found via the link below:
Resources
A range of resources to consider for parents and carers, or those involved in treating Selective Mutism.
Training
Current list of available training courses – please make enquiries direct to the organiser.
Books
Recommended books on Selective Mutism for parents and professionals.
Videos
Details of our YouTube channel and other recommended videos.
Toys & Games
Ideas for toys and games which may help with Selective Mutism therapy.
Life Stories
Visit our blog page where you can read real life accounts from people living with Selective Mutism:
News
SMiRA Staff Changes
Laura Heptonstall joined SMiRA’s team on 1st April as Co-ordinator, working on behalf of the Trustees. Laura takes over from Lindsay Whittington who will remain with the SMiRA Admin team following her retirement from the role of Co-ordinator.
On behalf of the SMiRA Trustees, let me wish Laura all the best taking up this role, and also say “Thank you” to Lindsay who has been at the heart of SMiRA as both a Trustee and lately Co-ordinator since SMiRA was founded as a charity in 1992.
Phil Thomason, SMiRA Chairman
Statement on Understanding and Supporting Selective Mutism 2025
In the light of recent discussions regarding the nature of Selective Mutism, we at SMiRA, the national UK charity for SM, share this update regarding our understanding of the nature of SM and how, in our view people with SM should be supported.
New SMiRA Research Published
SMiRA is pleased to announce the publication of the results of its latest research led by Trustees Shirley Landrock-White and Victoria Roe.
It highlights a number of conclusions on physical freezing, links with autism, and the need for multidisciplinary assessment for SM.
SMIRA Teemill Store
The SMIRA Teemill Store is now open for business!
Visit for beautiful t-shirts, jumpers, mugs, bags and lots more! We also have other awareness-raising items for sale direct from SMIRA.
SMiRA YouTube Channel
We’re excited to announce our new YouTube channel.
The first video is our 2004 programme ‘Silent Children – Approaches to Selective Mutism’. This is no longer available in video format but you can now view it free on YouTube – just click the button below and don’t forget to give us a follow!
Statement from SMiRA regarding the use of the term ‘Situational Mutism’
SMiRA has had a number of enquiries about whether the term “situational mutism” is now preferred over “Selective Mutism”. We are aware of some grassroots change and some trainers advising the use of ‘situational” as the preferred term. Below is a statement to clarify our position, as the UK’s national charity for selective mutism.
Can you help to save SMiRA?
Following Covid and the cost-of-living crisis our funds have been depleted, with donations and fundraising dropping to a trickle.
SMiRA is much more than ‘just a Facebook group’ or a website, we are the country’s leading SM charity, currently conducting important and much-needed research. In the UK we feed into other communication-based organisations and eventually into Government. Further afield, we have supported new groups in other countries, some where SM may have only recently become recognised, and we are a respected source of information worldwide.
If SMiRA is to survive we need to act NOW! Following a crisis meeting of our team, we hope our followers and members will join with us by organising events or pushing for donations.
See our News page for our full statement and how you can help.
Fundraising
SMIRA receives no Government aid or grant funding and relies solely on members and supporters for funding. All monies received go towards the running of the charity and projects relating to selective mutism.
If you would like to support this work, there are a number of ways in which you can help raise funds or donate directly.
Connect with our team on Facebook
for tips and advice about SM.
Raise money for SMIRA via EasyFundraising:
Movement for Good / Benefact nomination
Please nominate SMiRA for the chance for us to win £1,000! It literally takes seconds and there is no cost.
If you have already voted, no need to do it again as signatures roll over for the full 12 months. We recently won £1000 which is wonderful news, but nominations can continue for the rest of the year so if you haven’t already, please vote! Benefact give 50 x £1k each month, with nominations rolling over throughout the year.
Please click on the banner below to nominate us:
