Selective Mutism Association

Presents

Selective Mutism Training Institute

Cosponsored by American University

The Selective Mutism Training Institute (SMTI) is a skills based 2 day training course for professionals working with children diagnosed with Selective Mutism (SM). The workshop is intensive, interactive and skills-based with the goal of increasing competence in providing evidence-based treatment of SM to professionals with beginner and intermediate exposure and skills in assessing and treating SM.  We maintain a high instructor to participant ratio to ensure adequate time for skills practice and coaching. Registration will be limited to 30 participants.

This is a unique opportunity for mental health and speech-language professionals and graduate-level trainees to learn cutting-edge, innovative techniques to effectively treat children with SM. Small group, video consultation with the course instructors following the 2-day onsite training is included in the cost, allowing participants to further apply the skill in their own unique clinical settings. 

This course is taught by leading experts, researchers, and authors in the field of Selective Mutism: 

Jami Furr, Ph.D., Director, Selective Mutism Program, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University

Evelyn Klein, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, LaSalle University

Steven Kurtz, Ph.D., ABPP, President Kurtz Psychology Consulting PC

Cesar Ruiz, SLP-D, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, LaSalle University

The workshop starts with providing a framework for understanding the etiology of SM, highlighting the role of nature, nurture, temperament, and development differences in the onset and maintenance of SM, social anxiety, and other common comorbidities.  Strategies for behavioral, developmental, and language assessment will be reviewed, including how to conduct observations of children with SM. Evidence-based interventions will be covered in depth, including behavioral strategies such as stimulus fading, shaping, positive reinforcement, and parent education/coaching. State-of-the-science interventions, such as intensive treatments, group-based interventions and school consultation will be taught. Speech and language conceptualization, assessment, and interventions will also be reviewed. 

Participant Requirements:  Participants must either be independently licensed or certified, or matriculating in a supervised graduate program in clinical psychology, school psychology, counseling, social work, applied behavior analysis, or speech-language pathology.  Other participants will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are encouraged to email info@selectivemutism.org with their particulars to discuss if this training is appropriate.

Prior Experience:  The SMTI course is primarily intended for those with beginner and intermediate exposure to work with SM.

Continuing Education Credits: Information about Continuing Education credits will be added to our website and this registration page as it becomes available. The cost of continuing education is not included in the price of the conference as we are in the approval process for APA and ASHA CEUs. If you would like to receive continuing education credits, payment will be accepted on the first day of the workshop.

Lunch will be on your own at restaurants/eateries that are in walking distance from the workshop location.

Hotel rooms for this workshop are on reserve at the nearby Courtyard by Marriott-Chevy Chase for $129/night. This special group rate expires on 4/4/2018, so please book your room prior to this date. After this date, this room rate will not be available; however, a lower-than-commercially advertised rate may possibly be booked by requesting the "American University" rate. Parking is currently $15 per night for overnight guests. This hotel is located 1.9 miles from the workshop.

To book this special room rate at the Courtyard Marriott Chevy Chase, please use this website room reservation link. Alternatively, call Kiuana Smith at 301-828-3364 X7000 and request the "AU Selective Mutism" room block.

Register Now! 

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

Any cancellations made prior to April 15 will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between April 15 and April 30 will receive a 50% refund, and no refunds will be given after May 1.