SERESC (Southeastern Regional Education Service Center, Inc.) Presents:

Selective Mutism:

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Assessment and Treatment

with Joleen R. Fernald, MS, CCC-SLP
Friday, January 28, 2011
9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Location

29 Commerce Drive
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 206-6800
www.seresc.net

About the Presentation

Once thought of as a rare childhood anxiety disorder, Selective Mutism's prevalence was recently estimated to be more common than Autism. Because Selective Mutism impacts not only a child's social emotional development, but also her communication and sensory processing skills, it warrants the attention of mental health treating practitioners, speech language pathologists occupational therapists and educators. This presentation will thoroughly discuss the assessment and treatment process for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to working with children with Selective Mutism as indicated in current literature and evidence-based practice.

Outcomes

Participants will be able to …

• List the five criteria used in the DSM-IV for a diagnosis of SM
• Identify three co-morbid disorders commonly associated with SM
• Name the members of a multidisciplinary team appropriate for children with SM
• Identify three methodologies commonly used in the treatment of SM
• Compare and contrast the roles of speech-language pathologist and mental health treating professionals
• Give reasons why a Section 504 Plan or an IEP is more appropriate for an individual with SM
• Write an IEP communication goal and objectives for a child diagnosed with SM

Who Should Attend?

Speech/Language Pathologists, Mental Health Professionals, Educators, OTs, School Counselors, School Nurses, Parents or anyone interested in the topic

Registration

Cost: $165
Early registration (before 1/10/2011): $125.00
Cost includes continental breakfast, lunch, certificate of attendance with 5.5 contact hours.

To register online, please visit www.seresc.net/events, or you can download the attached flyer (below) and mail in your registration with a check.

Course Flyer

For more information, including a schedule of events and mail-in registration form, please download the full event flyer.

About the Presenter

Joleen R. Fernald, MS, CCC-SLP, is currently a PhD student studying infant mental health and developmental disabilities. She has a special interest in the social emotional development of young children and its impact on their speech and language skills. As a speech-language pathologist, Joleen works with children who have a variety of communication disorders. She partnered with Easter Seals NH in 2008 to begin an assessment and treatment clinic specifically for children with selective mutism. As the past president of The Selective Mutism Group, a national non-profit organization, Joleen provides support and resources to children and their families who have been impacted by SM. She enjoys public speaking and has presented nationally on the topics of childhood apraxia of speech and selective mutism.