Selective Mutism: An Assessment and Intervention Guide for Therapists, Educators & ParentsSelective Mutism: A Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents provides an effective, research-based behavioral intervention plan for the successful treatment of Selective Mutism. Based on years of clinical experience and expertise, author Dr. Aimee Kotrba provides not only assessment and treatment information, but also case examples, easy-to-implement workbook sheets, and informative handouts. Dr. Kotrba is an advocate of team treatment - parents, schools, and mental health professionals working together to intervene with selective mutism -- and this book provides intervention strategies for all team members, as well as a comprehensive treatment plan that can be individualized to any child. The techniques included emphasize a gradual, stepwise approach to increased speech, as well as fun and engaging activities that can be used at each step of treatment. Tips for engaging and motivating children and teens are included to improve treatment outcomes. |
Contents
Silence As a Safety Net | 15 |
Rewriting the Avoidance Script | 31 |
Steps Toward Bravery Climbing the Communication Ladder | 63 |
Integrating Treatment Into the School Environment | 89 |
| 135 | |
Common terms and phrases
____________________________ in _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Person e.g. activities allow the child amygdala and/or answer anxiety disorder anxiety-provoking anxious assessment avoidance avoiding speech begin behavior blowing air brave practices child with selective child with SM child’s anxiety children with selective children with SM classroom clinical comfortable communication ladder communication partner consistent contingency management desensitization diagnosis dogs Environments e.g. evaluation example eye contact fear feel Forced Choice Question forced-choice goal going hard he/she intervention interventionist keyworker kids lack of speech language Legos motivational interviewing muscles nonverbal communication one-on-one parents peers play date progress prompt psychologist rapport reinforcement relaxed response reward sand timer school setting school sidewalk script selective mutism session siblings situations skills social anxiety social phobia sounds speak special education specific speech/language step stimulus fading symptoms teacher verbal voice whispering Y/N Y/N Y/N