Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety: Helping Students Face Their Fears
Date:
April 4, 2025 @ 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Price:
Instructor(s):
Steven Kurtz, PhD, ABPP
Event Type:
In-Person
Professional Learning Hours:
6
Intended Audience:
PK-6 general and special educators, SLPs, and mental health clinicians who work with students experiencing extremes of social anxiety, including selective mutism. Other disciplines and age ranges are welcome, as well.
Participants must attend all events:
- Event Date
- Event Date
Social anxiety, and selective mutism in particular, are quite frequent among students. Given the often hidden nature of the symptoms and their impact on social development and academics, they are associated with significant problems in school settings. Participants will learn how to apply evidence-based strategies to help students work past their social anxiety, helping them to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Participants will view intervention videos and experience guided role plays with feedback to maximize their application of these tools with students.
Participants will:
- Identify elements of the negative reinforcement cycle that maintain the avoidant behavior of mutism
- Identify the steps for reducing excessive accommodations in school and at home
- Understand how to create an appropriate exposure hierarchy that includes changes to people, places, and activities
- Understand the rationale for including extrinsic reinforcers in treatment
