• course Info
  • Content
  • Ce Approvals

Beyond Responding: Bridging the Gap to Social Communication Development in Selective Mutism

CE Hours 1

About this course

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.

Learning Objectives

  • Define social (pragmatic) language therapy and explain its role in supporting individuals with Selective Mutism in progressing from answering questions to engaging in conversation.
  • Discuss when it is appropriate to begin implementing social (pragmatic) language strategies within an evidence-based framework (e.g., PCIT-SM).
  • Identify at least two components of a hierarchical sequence when targeting social (pragmatic) language skills in individuals with Selective Mutism.
  • Identify and describe at least two strategies to expand communication beyond yes/no responses, including incorporating “why” to support the development of self-advocacy skills.
  • State at least two strategies to support individuals with Selective Mutism in initiating and maintaining social conversations.

Learning Levels

  • All Levels

Course Instructor(s)

  • Kristin Mathis, M.S., CCC-SLP

    Kristin is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 27 years of experience helping children strengthen communication and social skills across private practice, school, and pediatric rehabilitation settings. Since joining Child & Family Therapy Collective (CFTC) in 2025, she has deepened her expertise through specialized training in the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy/Selective Mutism (PCIT/SM) model. At CFTC, Kristin integrates speech-language therapy with evidence-based anxiety treatments, working collaboratively with families and a multidisciplinary team to help children build brave talking behaviors, reduce avoidance, and grow in confidence.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • Muris, P., & Ollendick, T. H. (2021). Selective mutism and its relations to social anxiety disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 24(2), 294-325.
  • Reetzke, R., Singh, V., Hong, J. S., Holingue, C. B., Kalb, L. G., Ludwig, N. N., ... & Landa, R. J. (2022). Profiles and correlates of language and social communication differences among young autistic children. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 936392.
  • Oerbeck, B., Overgaard, K. R., Stein, M. B., Pripp, A. H., & Kristensen, H. (2018). Treatment of selective mutism: a 5-year follow-up study. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 27(8), 997-1009.
  • Bergman, R. L., Gonzalez, A., Piacentini, J., & Keller, M. L. (2013). Integrated behavior therapy for selective mutism: A randomized controlled pilot study. Behaviour research and therapy, 51(10), 680-689.
  • Bergman, R. L., Piacentini, J., & McCracken, J. T. (2002). Prevalence and description of selective mutism in a school-based sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(8), 938-946.
  • Remschmidt, H., Poller, M., Herpertz-Dahlmann, B., Hennighausen, K., & Gutenbrunner, C. (2001). A follow-up study of 45 patients with elective mutism. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 251(6), 284-296.

CE Process Info

Content

  • Recorded Webinar
    1 parts
    • Webinar Video
  • Joint Accreditation

    Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • New York Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #0060.

  • New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy (NYSEDCAT)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Creative Arts Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #CAT-0008

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York Education Department Board for Licensed Psychoanalysts (NYSEDLP)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychoanalysts as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #P-0031.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #PSY-0016.

  • New York Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MFT-0045.

Beyond Responding: Bridging the Gap to Social Communication Development in Selective Mutism
You Have Completed This course
$20
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    1
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    May 29th, 2026

Reset password


Reset your password by providing your email below





Next

We sent a reset password link to the email address you provided.


{{reset.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.

Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend



Next

Sign in


Enter your email to get started.




Next

Sign in


Good news! Your email is associated with an account. Enter your password or click here to reset it




Login

Thanks for signing up!


We sent an verification email to the address you provided. Please check your email to verify your email address.


{{signup.email}}


If you do not see the email, try checking your junk or spam folder.


If you don't receive a link in the email you provided, please click the button below to resend the verification email.



Resend

Please wait {{timer}} seconds to resend

Sign up




Sign up

Shopping Cart


Items
Price
Remove

  • {{ item.name }} ({{ item.courses.length }} courses)

    {{ item.credit_hours }} Credits
    {{ item.coupons.map((c)=> c.code).join(', ') }}
    ${{ item.totals.price }}
    ${{ item.totals.total_price }}
Apply


Cart is empty

${{ $store.state.profile.data.totals?.price }}
Total ${{ $store.state.profile.data.totals?.total_price }}
Continue Shopping Checkout

Thank you for your purchase


To access the course content, click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking Courses


Go to Course

Thank you for your purchase

To access your courses, please click the button below. Enrolled courses may be accessed at any time by going to your Account and clicking either Events or Courses


My Account

Payment

{{$store.state.payment.paymentErrorMessage }}
Pay now