The Selective Mutism Association (SMA) is sponsoring an in-depth 2-day training, in cooperation with American University, May 5-6, 2018 in Washington, DC for professionals working with children diagnosed with selective mutism (SM). The workshop is intensive, interactive and skills-based with the goal of increasing competence in providing empirically-supported treatment of SM to professionals with beginner and intermediate exposure and skills in assessing and treating SM. We maintain a high instructor to participant ratio to ensure adequate time for skills practice and coaching.
This is a unique opportunity for mental health and speech-language professionals and graduate-level trainees to learn cutting-edge, innovative techniques to effectively treat children with SM. Small group, telehealth consultation with the course instructors following the 2-day onsite training is included in the cost, allowing participants to further apply the skills in their own unique clinical settings.
This course is taught by leading experts, researchers, and authors in the field of SM:
- Jami Furr, Ph.D. Director, Selective Mutism Program, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University
- Evelyn Klein, Ph.D.,CCC-SLP, BRS-CL, LaSalle University
- Steven Kurtz, Ph.D., ABPP, Kurtz Psychology Consulting PC, developer of PCIT-SM and the group intensive programs Mighty Mouth and Brave Buddies
- Cesar Ruiz, SLP-D, CCC-SLP, BRS-S, LaSalle University
The workshop starts with providing a framework for understanding the etiology of SM, highlighting the role of nature, nurture, temperament, and developmental differences in the onset and maintenance of SM, social anxiety, and other common comorbidities. Strategies for behavioral, developmental, and language assessment will be reviewed, including how to conduct observations of children with SM. Evidence-based interventions will be covered in depth, including behavioral strategies such as stimulus fading, shaping, positive reinforcement, and parent education/coaching. State-of-the-science interventions, such as intensive treatments, group-based interventions, and school consultation will also be taught. Speech and language conceptualization, assessment, and interventions will also be reviewed.
Participant requirements: Participants must be either independently licensed or certified, or matriculating in a supervised graduate program in clinical psychology, school psychology, counseling, social work, applied behavior analysis, or speech-language pathology. Other participants will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are encouraged to email info@selectivemutism.org with their particulars to discuss if this training is appropriate.
Prior experience: The SMTI course is primarily intended for those with beginner and intermediate exposure to work with SM.
Continuing Education Credits: The course is approved to offer 1.0 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area). We are seeking approval from the American Psychological Association (APA) for what will likely by 11.0 CEs. Certificates of course completion will be provided to all participants who complete the onsite course and consultation calls.
This course is modeled on the very popular BTI for OCD: high ratio of faculty to participant with ongoing consultation to facilitate implementation in real-world practices.