Empowering school teams & families with expert support to help children with selective mutism find their brave voices.
08/23/2025
A few selective mutism back to school tips for families and school teams:
1. Make sure you have a plan of support in place with both interventions and accommodations and be certain the student knows their key people
2. If possible, have the student meet the teacher 1:1 before the first day
3. Seat the student with a preferred peer whenever possible
4. Ensure the student has a means for communicating basic needs, i.e. bathroom, illness/injury/asking for help, ect.
5. Reach out for support as needed https://www.selectivemutism.org/find-support/
Wishing everyone a year full of brave talking and courage! ~Annie
07/17/2025
At 4:02pm yesterday, a congratulations email from ASHA arrived saying the proposal Dr. Steve Kurtz and I submitted for the 2025 ASHA Convention was accepted! I am ecstatic to be presenting on PCIT-SM at the convention this November! ~Annie
07/04/2025
Happy 4th of July!
06/23/2025
Hippotherapy, "treatment with the help of a horse," is gaining popularity in the PWS community and beyond. Riding horses helps develop core strength, which can help mitigate scoliosis concerns, and can have positive social, emotional, and behavioral benefits. Melanie Zalman, mom to Josie (living with PWS) shared this blog post about their family's experience with hippotherapy. From first learning about it in a Facebook group, to seeing Josie ride backward, to letting go of her fears watching Josie feed carrots to the horses, hippotherapy has been an incredibly positive experience in their lives. Read Melanie's blog at https://www.pwsausa.org/hippotherapy-and-pws/
06/21/2025
Get out there my brave friends and have some bingo fun as you practice your brave talking! Post and share your stories. I love celebrating with you! ~Annie
06/20/2025
"Remembering the past, celebrating the present, and striving for a better future. Happy Juneteenth!" ~Annie
06/14/2025
A recent change the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual jeopardizes access to care for Medicare beneficiaries and undermines state laws designed to regulate provisional licensees such as speech-language pathology clinical fellows (CFs). It also threatens the livelihood of CFs whose employment relies on the ability to submit claims to payers like Medicare.
Please sign this petition by June 25 to join us in imploring CMS to revise its interpretation of the term “licensure” to include the provisional licensure states issue to new graduates in the process of completing their supervised clinical mentorship: https://at.asha.org/Fv
ASHA is advocating for CMS to update its qualified provider requirements and has asked to meet with CMS staff to walk through the relevant federal and state legislative and regulatory history, explain why provisional licensure must be included in federal personnel qualifications for SLPs, and strongly advocate for their inclusion in Medicare. Keep an eye on ASHA Advocacy News for updates and email reimbursement@asha.org if you have questions about Medicare policy and advocacy.
Thank you for your advocacy!
05/30/2025
Thank you Jonathan Kohlmeier for the opportunity to share my story in your beautiful newsletter! ~Annie
A Conversation About Evidence-Based Treatment, Misconceptions, and Hope
05/26/2025
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” — Unknown
Happy Memorial Day! Honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country. ~Annie
05/23/2025
As I sat and watched this amazing young lady sing in her chorus rectial yesterday, I cried. Alongside her infinitely supportive school team and family, this courageous young lady went from silent to singing in one school year
Words fall short of expressing my joy over her accomplishments! She has deeply inspired me and raised the bar on the word "possible".
For those of you who think tweens and teens with selective mutism can't make incredible progress, think again! ~Annie
05/20/2025
With LD Creative Designs, LLC – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉
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Selective Mutism is an anxiety based disorder that causes individuals not to speak in specific settings or with specific listeners despite the ability to speak freely when they are in a comfortable setting and/or with comfortable listeners. There is a common misconception that individuals with SM are choosing not to talk, research suggests otherwise.
SM often coexists with other areas of potential growth, such as; sensory integration disorders, speech/language delays, or anxiety disorders.
SM is often identified in the preschool years when a child first goes to school and she/he is not able to speak to teachers and/or peers. More mild cases may not be identified until the late adolescent or teenage years. Though this can feel like a difficult time for school teams and parents, there are wonderful resources available and with appropriate supports in place, an individual at any age can find their voice, it’s never too late!
The support process for SM is typically multifaceted and includes intervention for the underling anxiety, the mutism, and any other areas of individual difference.
If it is left untreated, selective mutism can severely impact a child’s self-esteem, self-concept, social development, and education. SM is typically best supported by a holistic approach and active parental and school involvement.
