February 2025 Dear SMA Community, Part of the Selective Mutism Association’s goal is to advocate for those withselective mutism by spreading awareness and providing educational resourcesand tools. We believe that… Continue reading Selective Mutism and Other Forms of Anxiety
Category: Understanding SM
Celebrating Progress and Success Within Selective Mutism Intervention
May 2024 “Believe in yourself and you can achieve greatness in your life” – Judy Blume Dear SMA Community, While exposure practice is a critical component of SM treatment, a… Continue reading Celebrating Progress and Success Within Selective Mutism Intervention
What is a Speech Language Pathologist-and Does My Child Need One?
By Emily Doll, M.A., M.S., CCC-SLP Dear SM Community, A speech-language pathologist (SLP; also referred to as a speech therapist) is a trained clinician who evaluates and treats people… Continue reading What is a Speech Language Pathologist-and Does My Child Need One?
SMA Statement Regarding Different Terminology Used to Describe Selective Mutism
The Selective Mutism Association has become aware of an increase in variable terminology used as synonyms for Selective Mutism. Some of these terms include “Situational Mutism,” “Reluctant Speaker,” and “Reluctant… Continue reading SMA Statement Regarding Different Terminology Used to Describe Selective Mutism
Siblings and Selective Mutism
Dear SMA Community, Supporting and parenting children with Selective Mutism (SM) can present unique situations for families with multiple children. Treatment at times requires a lot focused attention on the… Continue reading Siblings and Selective Mutism
Do I Have Selective Mutism?
Learn the symptoms and signs of selective mutism in adults Can teenagers struggle with selective mutism? What about adults? The answer to both is yes. Have you ever asked yourself,… Continue reading Do I Have Selective Mutism?
How to Help Your Child with Selective Mutism: 7 Tips
Here’s how to support your child with selective mutism through diagnosis and treatment using best practices Does your child speak freely at home but shut down in public spaces? When… Continue reading How to Help Your Child with Selective Mutism: 7 Tips
Evaluating and Diagnosing Selective Mutism
Ensuring an Accurate SM Diagnosis How to Evaluate for SM Only a trained professional familiar with SM or other anxiety disorders should evaluate an individual for SM. Evaluations generally begin… Continue reading Evaluating and Diagnosing Selective Mutism
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Selective Mutism?
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Selective Mutism? How to Tell if a Child has Selective Mutism Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder, usually diagnosed in childhood, in which… Continue reading What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Selective Mutism?