A refusal to speak often witnessed among autistic children is known as ______.

A) mutism
B) echolalia
C) glossolalia
D) involuntary silence

Mutism, specifically selective mutism, is the term used to describe a condition where an individual, often a child, consistently fails to speak in certain situations or to specific people while being able to speak normally in others. In the context of autism, some children may exhibit behaviors akin to mutism, where they refuse or are unable to speak in certain situations. Echolalia is the repetition of phrases or noises, and glossolalia refers to speaking in tongues. "Involuntary silence" is not a recognized term in this context.