When Silence Speaks: Understanding Selective Mutism Through a Sensory and Communication Lens
When: Online - June 3, 2027
Description
Selective mutism is a complex childhood anxiety condition that significantly impacts participation, learning, and social engagement across settings. Children with selective mutism often have intact language abilities yet experience a profound inability to communicate in specific contexts due to heightened anxiety and nervous system dysregulation. This one-day interdisciplinary workshop provides a comprehensive, practical understanding of selective mutism focused on integrating current research on anxiety, sensory processing, and communication under stress. Participants will explore how sensory sensitivities, environmental demands, relational safety, and communication expectations interact to either support or inhibit a child’s ability to access speech and social communication. Emphasis is placed on neuro-affirming, regulation-based approaches that move beyond behavior-driven or compliance-focused models.
Through case examples, clinical reasoning, and applied strategies, participants will gain tools to:
- Identify selective mutism accurately
- Differentiate it from other communication and developmental profiles
- Assess children without increasing anxiety
- Implement collaborative, child-centered intervention strategies across home, school, and therapy contexts
This workshop is suitable for occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, psychologists, educators, early-intervention professionals, and pediatric clinicians working with children who experience anxiety-based communication challenges.
Outline / Agenda:
9.00 to 10.15am Foundations & Neurobiology of Selective Mutism
An overview of selective mutism as an anxiety-based condition, including key features, differential considerations, and common misconceptions. This session introduces the neurobiology of anxiety and explains how nervous system responses, particularly the freeze response, affect speech, voice, and participation
10.15 to 10.30 Morning Break
10.30 to 12.00 Sensory Processing and Regulation
An exploration of how sensory processing differences and environmental demands influence anxiety and communication access. Participants will examine sensory contributors in learning and therapeutic settings and learn how predictability, environmental adjustments, and regulation-supportive practices can reduce stress and support participation
12.00 to 12.45 Lunch
12.45 to 2.15 Communication Access Under Anxiety
This session focuses on how anxiety impacts communication across contexts. Participants will gain insight into why communication may be available in some settings but inaccessible in others and how reducing interactional and linguistic pressure supports meaningful participation through verbal and non-verbal communication
2.15 to 2.30 Afternoon Break
2.30 to 4.00 Assessment, Intervention & Collaborative Practice
A practical, integrative session bringing together assessment principles, intervention strategies, and collaborative approaches. Participants will explore how to support children with selective mutism across home, school, and clinical contexts, with attention to cultural considerations and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze the neurodevelopmental, sensory, emotional, and environmental factors that contribute to aggressive behavior and differentiate between behavior that reflects dysregulation, communication difficulties, developmental differences, and intentional non-compliance.
- Evaluate classroom environments and implement proactive strategies that strengthen emotional regulation, predictability, sensory regulation, and positive teacher–student relationships to reduce the likelihood of behavioral escalation.
- Apply evidence-informed de-escalation strategies that promote safety, preserve student dignity, and support co-regulation while responding effectively to aggressive behavior in classroom settings.
- Design classroom-based support plans that integrate relationship-based practices, collaborative problem-solving, and self-regulation strategies to promote resilience, emotional safety, and sustainable behavioral change following behavioral incidents
Provider Name: Bridging Talents ([email protected] )
Presenter: Maude Le Roux, OTR/L, SIPT, ADHD-RSP, DIR Champion and Expert Training Leader
Bio: Maude Le Roux is a global trainer in multiple methodologies and a mentor to therapists from multidisciplinary teams. She opened her practice, A Total Approach in Glen Mills, PA, USA in 2001. Maude started her training career in 2007 and opened her online academy in 2019. She has designed the Developmental Pathways Model (DPM), which she applies to her own unique assessment and intervention protocol for major diagnosis such as Dyspraxia, ADHD and Executive Functions, Autism, Reading and Writing Disorders, and Trauma and Attachment. Maude served 9 years on the Board of Directors for ATTACh and currently serves on their Advisory Board. She also serves on the Advisory Board for LSWorks (Neuralign program). She is a co-author of two books and more recently wrote a chapter on Trauma and the Body in “Healing Connections” which launched in September 2024. Maude received an award for “Continued child advocacy” through the ATTACh organization in September 2024. She also received the Champion Award through ICDL in November 2024. Maude has a “whole child” approach to care and intervention and equipping the child, while empowering the parent is at the core of who she is as a clinician and trainer.
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Educators
Educational Level: Intermediary
Instructional Methods: PowerPoint, Group Discussion, Video
Contact Hours: 5 hours, 45 minutes
