Selective Mutism
Within the School Setting
Understanding, Evaluating and Accommodating


Interested in a workshop or online webinar?  --> GO

Workshops/presentations include the following topics:
-Definition of Selective Mutism and DSM-IV classification
-When to suspect SM?
-Relationship between social anxiety and Selective Mutism (research)

-Differential diagnosis of other childhood disorders (and how to differentiate)
-Precipitating factors into the development of SM  (i.e., inhibited temperament, S&L disorders, etc)
-Propagating factors for the persistence of SM (misdiagnosis, mismanagement, etc)
-Common characteristics of children with Selective Mutism

-Subtypes of SM. (Ie, speech phobia, bilingual, speech/lang problems, etc)
   --How to differentiate,
   --Effect on classroom accommodations
-Photo examples of SM children (autistic or SM? Defiant or SM?) and/or Video examples of SM children     ->Noticing 'SM traits'

-How Selective Mutism presents in a 2-5 yr old 6-10 yr old 11 yr old- teen--->Adult
   -How classroom accommodations ( and child's needs!) change with age
   -Key to an early diagnosis/treatment
   -Negative ramifications of untreated anxiety

Understanding Selective Mutism as a Social Communication Anxiety Disorder
- Details of Stages of communication, Use of the SM-Stages of Communication Scale (SM-SCCS)
-"How to assess' communication stage

-How to effectively evaluate/assess the 'silent child'
  --Who should evaluate? evaluation approach
  --Recognizing anxiety level, etc.
  --Evaluation tips, what should be included in an evaluation/assessment?
-Academic Testing of the SM child (Common pitfalls!!)
  - Anxiety and effects on testing (ie, inaccurate testing ( how do you know?) and school placement)

-Learning disabled and SM, etc
-Developmentally delayed and SM
-Speech/Lang disorder and SM

-Classroom accommodations within the school setting
  -IEP vs 504 ( and when necessary)-
     - Special Education Classification
     - Mainstream vs 'Special education' classroom setting
     - Examples of classroom accommodations
                    -Role of classroom aide/wrap-a-round
-Role of the school professionals (ie, school psychologist/counselor, SLP, etc)
-Role of the classroom teacher (how to 'help' Common mistakes, assessing knowledge)

-What should be included in an individualized treatment plan
-Helping the child assess/acknowledge their 'difficulty'
-Communication tactics/techniques for Stage 0, Stage 1, Stage 2
  Nonverbal responding/initiating
  Verbal responding/initiating
-Importance of socializing, small groups, and 'listening to the child'

-Working as team ( and how to do this) treating professional, school treating prof, teacher, parent, child
  --School working with parents,
      --Addressing the parent in denial
      --Addressing the 'overly anxious' parent

-Medication information (common medications for SM, side effects to be aware of, how side effects manifest in the classroom)

-Case examples
-Questions/answer session