I am always interested in learning more about the variety of students I can help. Today I am interviewing Annie DiVello, an SLP who specializes in Selective Mutism. At the time Annie was in grad school, it was believed that selective mutism was more of a mental health disorder and that SLPs were not involved, but even now there is still a real lack of information or resources both in school and in private practice.

What is Selective Mutism?
Selective Mutism (SM)  is essentially a phobia of speaking, along with comorbidities. This fear of speaking can be attached to a singular person, people, or places, during certain activities. Selective Mutism often occurs along with anxiety disorders or other speech disorders.

Supporting Learners with Selective Mutism:
Annie discusses the importance of a ‘Round Table’ of support for students with Selective Mutism. These learners cannot be worked with in isolation and should be supported by a variety of professionals that are experts in the complex variety of needs of students with selective mutism.

When it comes to assessment, Annie directs the question about performance vs. skills and ability. A student's performance is not always indicative of their skills, especially in the case of Selective Mutism. Annie provides some tips for SLPs to collect this information, including parent interviews and respectful videoing. Selective Mutism can be effectively diagnosed with a multidisciplinary team at the age of 30 months.

Getting started with therapy for students with Selective Mutism:

• Who is the student and what are their needs
• Bring in Selective Mutism experts
• Implement a comprehensive plan with monthly progress monitoring
• Work on communication confidence: one on one work with a key worker
• Utilize an integrated team approach
• Small steps programming, beware of rapid exposure 

As a school-based clinician, you may not come across students with Selective Mutism,  but working with experts like Annie DiVello is such a key piece in developing a framework for your therapy with students with more complex needs. This episode is packed with great tips for SLPs working with learners of all ages. Annie is an ASHA-approved CEU trainer, you can find out more about her and her work on her website, AnnieDiVello.com.

#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• What is Selective Mutism?
• How to build a roundtable of support for learners with selective mutism.
• Being a ‘Brave Voice Coach’ for learners with selective mutism.
• Strategies for younger and older learners with selective mutism.

Mentioned In This Episode:
 
Annie DiVello Consulting
ABA Speech: Home