SMA Webinar Series invited speaker: Kristin Mathis, CCC-SLP

Register for this webinar: Beyond Responding: Bridging the Gap to Social Communication Development in Selective Mutism

In the treatment of individuals with Selective Mutism (SM), evidence-based strategies have been proven to help individuals reduce anxiety and begin using their voices to respond to others' communication initiations. However, once a child gains confidence in responding, many professionals feel less equipped to bridge the gap between responding and engaging in meaningful, reciprocal conversation.

This webinar will address this critical treatment gap by highlighting the role of social (pragmatic) language therapy. Through a multidisciplinary lens—including collaboration between mental health professionals and speech-language pathologists—participants will learn when and how to introduce pragmatic language strategies to support continued communication growth.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of pragmatic language development, with emphasis on a developmental hierarchy of skills that moves individuals from simple verbal responses to more complex social communication. Practical strategies will be presented to support expanding beyond yes/no responses, incorporating “why” to build self-advocacy, and developing skills to begin engaging in conversations with others. Participants will leave with actionable tools to support individuals with SM in navigating their social worlds with increased independence and confidence across settings.