SMA Educator’s Webcourse Is Now Available!

September 2023

Dear SM Community,

SMA has exciting news to share! SMA has launched a new online professional development resource for teachers and school staff–the SMA Educator’s Webcourse.

The SMA Educator’s webcourse aims to equip educators, and other school professionals, with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively support students with Selective Mutism (SM) in the school setting.

This is a self-paced course that includes approximately 10 hours of video content about a wide range of topics including:

• Conceptualization of SM and common symptoms
• Ways in which SM symptoms can impact students at school
• Evidence-based assessment methods
• Evidence-based intervention strategies
• Tips for creating student support plans and establishing SMART goals
• Tips for collaborating with families

CEs will be available for those who are eligible; certificates of completion will be available for all.

There are currently three versions of this course:

• A course for early childhood and/or elementary educators – $180
• A course for secondary educators – $180
• A course for professional educational support staff (e.g., school psychologists, school social workers, counselors, speech-language pathologists), who may work with both elementary and secondary students. This version of the course also includes additional lessons on formal assessment methods – $240

All persons with an SMA membership are eligible to receive a 20% discount from course prices. Parents/caregivers, consider purchasing a course for your child’s educator! (Check out additional benefits of becoming an SMA Educator Member here!)

Given that children and teens with SM often find school a difficult, or uncomfortable setting, in which to speak, SMA hopes this will serve as an invaluable resource for educators and other school-based professionals. When equipped with the right knowledge and tools, school teams can have a tremendous, positive impact on a student’s growth towards confident and comfortable speech with teachers and classmates at school.

To learn more, and register for the course, visit the SMA website by clicking here: https://www.selectivemutism.org/educators//educators/

For additional resources on supporting students with SM in the school setting, check out:
SMA’s Educator Toolkit
SMA’s Online Learning Library
SMA’s Video Library

We hope this course makes a tremendous impact for our students in our schools!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jami Furr and Dr. Taylor Hicks-Hoste,
SMA Board of Directors