Alaska Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2023 Webinar Series:

#4 Empowering Voices: 

Understanding and Addressing Selective Mutism 

Speakers: Kim Ward-Massey; Courtney Spann; Linda Self

September 28, 2023; 6:00-8:00 pm (.2 ASHA CEU)

Registration at www.AKSHA.org

This session equips participants with the basic knowledge and skills to understand selective mutism and its impact on children. Participants will identify key characteristics of selective mutism, measures used to identify accurately, and considerations for planning effective interventions. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills you need to become a stronger advocate for individuals facing this often-misunderstood challenge.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to:

• Define selective mutism and its key characteristics
• Discriminate between selective mutism, similarly presenting disorders, and co-morbidities
• Identify informal and formal measures used by interdisciplinary teams to diagnose selective mutism
• Name appropriate school-based eligibility categories for students with selective mutism
• Name at least 3 considerations and team members involved in intervention planning

Time Ordered Agenda:

6:00-6:10: Introduction and Overview

6:10-6:30: Defining Selective Mutism and Debunking Myths

6:30-7:00: Assessing for Selective Mutism

7:00-7:50: Supports & Interventions for Students with Selective Mutism

7:50-8:00: Questions and Wrap-up

Speaker Bios:

Kim Ward-Massey, M.S., CCC/SLP

Kim is a speech language pathologist (SLP) with over 20 years of experience in the field. She currently serves as the Lead SLP for Anchorage School District (ASD), where she supports a team of 100 speech providers. She is also the Alaskan SLP representative for ASHA's Committee of Ambassadors. Kim is passionate about improving communication skills for all students and is dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive work environment for those she supports.

Courtney Spann, M.S., CCC/SLP

​​Courtney is a speech-language pathologist for the Anchorage School District with 8 years of experience with school-based speech-language therapy. She has worked as an SLPA and SLP across 3 states and currently serves as a lead speech-language pathologist for the Anchorage School District. Courtney is passionate about creating systems that support the effective delivery of speech-language services within schools.

Linda Self, Ed.S, NCSP

Linda has worked her entire 21-year career as a school psychologist in the Anchorage School District. Her primary role is school psychology instructional lead where she supports 50 school psychologists and interns. Linda’s work has included leading the district’s crisis response team, supporting system changes to ensure learning of all students, and promoting equitable discipline practices.

Financial disclosures for all three presenters: Receive salary from Anchorage School District; donating their time to AKSHA for this presentation. There are no non-financial disclosures for the three presenters.

Disclaimer: ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.