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Alaska Speech Language Hearing Association

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Stay tuned for more information about our annual AKSHA convention!

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.

Alaska Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2023 Webinar Series:

#5 Teletherapy Strategies for the School-Aged Population: A Recipe for Igniting Innovation & Enhancing Communication 

Speakers: Jessica Hunnemeder; Dayna Sanders; Vanessa Winkler

6:30-7:30 pm, October 26, 2023 (.1 ASHA CEU)

Registration at www.AKSHA.org


This presentation explores the teletherapy service delivery model to provide speech and language therapy to school-aged students. The presentation discusses current evidence-based research in the realm of teletherapy, benefits and considerations for SLPs, as well as potential challenges working with this age group. Additionally, the presentation will provide practical tools that SLPs and SLPAs can use to influence change in their practice. This includes strategies for engaging young children in teletherapy sessions, adapting materials for teletherapy, and ways to provide caregiver and teacher training to support speech and language development.

Learning Outcomes:

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

  • Evaluate potential benefits and challenges of using teletherapy to provide speech and language services to school-aged children
  • Identify the importance of a collaborative approach for providing speech and language services to school-aged students via teletherapy with caregivers, teachers and other professionals
  • Identify effective tools and strategies for providing teletherapy services to school-aged children with speech and language disorders

Time Ordered Agenda (60 minutes): 

  • 5 minutes—Introductions and Disclosures
  • 15 minutes—Overview and Background
  • 25 minutes—Case Studies and Bullet point Discussion
  • 10 minutes—Conclusions and Wrap-up
  • 5 minutes—Questions, Comments, Participant strategies/ideas

Speaker Info:

Jessica received her masters and undergraduate degrees from Kean University and is an employee of Next Level Speech Therapy, P.C. Jessica has a diverse background in early intervention, school-based services, and sub-acute rehab. She is a firm believer in the power of high quality, evidence-based teletherapy for students and their families. When not working, Jessica can be found exploring her current residential state of Hawaii with her husband as a travel content creator.

Dayna graduated from Washington State University in 2012 and is the founder and president of Next Level Speech Therapy, P.C. Dayna's passion lies in supporting other speech language pathologists and she specializes in working with children with Autism and Selective Mutism. When Dayna is not at work, she enjoys spending quality time with her loving husband and two wonderful children. They can often be found exploring new places and creating new memories together.

Vanessa received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in 2005 and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Akron in 2007. Currently, Vanessa provides speech and language teletherapy services for school-age children within the state of Washington. She is also a Therapist Support Lead and a Leadership Team Member for Next Level Speech Therapy, P.C.


Financial Disclosures: Jessica, Dayna and Vanessa are salaried employees of Next Level Speech Therapy, P.C.

Nonfinancial Disclosures: Jessica, Dayna and Vanessa are ASHA members



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




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