Editing Selective mutism (section)

===Stimulus fading===
Affected subjects can be brought into a controlled environment with someone with whom they are at ease and can communicate. Gradually, another person is introduced into the situation. One example of stimulus fading is the ''sliding-in'' technique,<ref name="Johnson"/> where a new person is slowly brought into the talking group. This can take a long time for the first one or two faded-in people but may become faster as the patient gets more comfortable with the technique.

As an example, a child may be playing a board game with a family member in a classroom at school. Gradually, the teacher is brought in to play as well. When the child adjusts to the teacher's presence, then a peer is brought in to be a part of the game. Each person is only brought in if the child continues to engage verbally and positively.<ref name="Kehle Madaus Baratta Bray 1998"/><ref name="Shriver Segool Gortmaker 2011"/><ref name=Anstendig1998/>