A child with anxiety and normal development is most likely to develop which condition?

A child with anxiety and normal development is most likely to develop selective mutism. This condition is characterized by a consistent inability to speak in specific social situations despite the ability to speak in other settings, such as at home. Children with anxiety may experience overwhelming fear or apprehension in social contexts, leading to difficulties in initiating and maintaining verbal communication. The development of selective mutism often correlates with social anxiety, where the child feels excessive fear around peers or unfamiliar adults, hampering their spoken interactions in those environments.

Selective mutism typically emerges in early childhood, coinciding with developmental milestones where social interactions increase, such as starting school. The anxiety experienced by the child can inhibit their verbal expression, causing them to resort to silence in contexts where they feel pressured or intimidated.

In contrast, other options may relate to anxiety but do not directly manifest as speech-related issues in the same way. Social anxiety disorder involves broader fears of judgment and social interaction but does not specifically inhibit speech. Generalized anxiety disorder encompasses excessive worry across various domains and may not limit speech to specific contexts. A speech sound disorder refers to difficulties in articulating sounds and is not primarily driven by anxiety. Thus, selective mutism is the condition that aligns most closely with the situation described.