Scripts as a Scaffold: Supporting Speech While Confidence Grows

March 2026

Dear Selective Mutism Community,

Often, my clients with Selective Mutism (or their family members) share concerns that they “will say the wrong thing” or that they “don’t know what to say.” Many of us can relate to this uncomfortable experience. Think, for instance, about giving a speech or presentation and suddenly feeling like the words escape you. The sensation of everyone watching and waiting for you to continue only makes it harder to remember what to say. While this is uncomfortable for most people, it can feel like a worst-case scenario for someone with SM.

Whether they truly don’t know what to say (often in social situations that they haven’t yet encountered due to anxious-avoidance) or the difficulty lies in accessing language during periods of high anxiety, verbal scripts can be a useful and supportive tool. When used thoughtfully, scripts function like a superpower: they reduce cognitive load, increase predictability, and help communication happen when it otherwise might not.

Consider, for example, ordering takeout for a large group over the phone. In the moment, it can be difficult to remember each person’s order, along with any modifications related to dietary preferences or allergies.. You certainly don’t want your error to be the reason someone doesn’t enjoy their meal. So what do you do? You write it down…and then read directly from the list. The employee often repeats back the order to make sure they’ve recorded it correctly. Scripts upon scripts upon scripts—all used to ensure we get the order “right” in a higher-pressure scenario.

Similarly, when an individual with SM is preparing to place their meal order, anxiety often increases. When they feel anxious, they may struggle to generate language and predict how others will respond. By creating and practicing a script ahead of time, we reduce the cognitive demands of the situation and allow the individual to focus on the act of communicating itself. Instead of juggling all the variables that may increase anxiety in the moment, scripts can simplify the equation.

Scripting can also create a sense of control and knowledge of what to expect. I will say X, they will most likely say Y, then I can say Z and leave. This predictability is especially helpful during early exposure practices.

Importantly, scripts should be used as a scaffold, and not a long-term solution. After successful practice, anxiety should (theoretically) lessen, and the individual with SM begins to build a more firm foundation of what to expect. For instance, ordering a meal generally follows the same progression each time. With repeated experiences, the interaction becomes more familiar, the “meal ordering script” becomes internalized, and a detailed script becomes less necessary. The foundation is there and can be accessed more easily in the moment.

In summary, scripts can be a valuable tool for supporting early exposures, reducing overwhelming language demands, and increasing predictability and confidence. When used intentionally and faded over time, they can help make it easier for individuals with SM to get the words out and take meaningful steps forward.

Sincerely,
Katelyn Reed, M.S. LLP
SMA Board of Directors, Past President