<unk>  or mutism () is defined as an absence of speech while conserving or maintaining the ability to hear the speech of others. Mutism is typically understood as a person's inability to speak, and commonly observed by their family members, caregivers, teachers, doctors or speech and language pathologists. It may not be a permanent condition, depending on the cause, which might be physical, medical, organic, psychological, developmental, neurological or traumatic. A specific physical disability or communication disorder can be diagnosed. Loss of previously normal speech (aphasia) can be due to accidents, disease or surgical complication; it is rarely for psychological reasons. Treatment or management also varies by cause, determined after a speech assessment. Treatment can sometimes restore speech. If not, a range of assistive and augmentative communication devices are available.
Muteness
Acelity
Cue reactivity
Neurodiversity
Hysteresivity
Diagnostic greed
Heredity
Genetic exceptionalism