What is Selective Mutism?
In short, selective mutism could be compared to a phobia of speaking.
Selective mutism (SM) is a unique disorder that causes individuals to be unable to speak in specific settings or with specific listeners despite the ability to speak fully and freely when they are in a comfortable setting and/or with comfortable listeners. There is a common misconception that individuals with SM are choosing not to talk. In the words of Maggie Johnson, these individuals are “robbed of their voices”. Selective mutism is not a choice.
Selective mutism often coexists with other areas of struggle, such as: anxiety disorders, speech/language disorders, sensory integration disorders, difficulty sleeping, difficulty eating/toileting in public.
Selective mutism is often identified in the preschool years when a child first goes to school and she/he/they are not able to speak to teachers and/or peers. More mild cases may not be identified until the late adolescent or teenage years. Though this can feel like a difficult time for school teams and parents, there are wonderful resources available and with appropriate supports in place, an individual at any age can find their voice. It’s never too late!
There are different approaches for treating SM. We offer two options to school teams and families, PCIT-SM or an integrated approach.
PCIT-SM is a research-documented treatment approach developed by Dr. Steven Kurtz to help therapists, parents, and teachers working with children to overcome selective mutism (SM). PCIT-SM has been tested and found to be effective in both the individual/family format and the intensive group format. Annie DiVello is certified in PCIT-SM and is a great enthusiast of this evidence-based model of support.
Within an integrated behavioral approach, the support process often includes more than one therapeutic component. Frequent support components include counseling with a clinical psychologist, medication consultation and management with a psychiatrist, and brave voice work with a speech-language pathologist. An occupational therapist may also be a part of the team if there is a coexisting sensory integration disorder.
If it is left untreated, selective mutism can severely impact an individual globally. Selective mutism is best supported by a provider who has specific training, education, and experience specific to SM and active parental and school involvement.
To learn more, visit SMA (Selective Mutism Association).
Empowering Brave Voices Through Tailored Support
At Our Brave Voices, we provide comprehensive services to support children with selective mutism, their families, and school teams. From in-depth evaluations and interactive trainings to step-by-step school-based guidance, our offerings are designed to foster confidence, connection, and communication. Explore how we can partner with you to make meaningful progress.
Comprehensive Evaluations
Our team conducts in-depth evaluations for school teams across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. These evaluations provide a clear diagnosis, actionable strategies, and tools for data-based progress monitoring. We empower schools with a solid foundation to help students bridge the gap from brave talking at home to brave talking in the classroom.
Tailored Trainings
As an ASHA CEU provider, we offer dynamic, interactive trainings—both in-person and remote—to school teams across the nation. Whether you’re new to selective mutism or looking to deepen your skills, our trainings equip teams with practical strategies to support students confidently and effectively.
Empowering School Teams
School teams are a critical part of helping children with selective mutism thrive. At Our Brave Voices, we work collaboratively with teams to provide resources, strategies, & mentorship geared to empower staff in their role as “brave voice teachers.” From creating individualized programming to fostering classroom inclusivity, our team provides hands-on guidance step-by-step. Together we can support confident speaking and emsure a more supportive & inclusive environment for every child.
Supporting Families
The research shows that a systems approach best supports children with selective mutism, meaning supports across the home, school, and community settings. At Our Brave Voices, we integrate evidence-based parent coaching and direct interventions to help children and their families gain brave voice skills for the home and community settings while simultaneously supporting the school team. Our mission is to help each family we meet end the silence that plagues their child.