If a child is receiving recurring therapy for selective mutism, that therapy likely only occurs for 1 hour per week, which pales in comparison to the 30-35 hours they spend at school with teachers and staff. However, teachers are tasked with attending to the demands of entire classes of up to 25-30 students, so it can be difficult to figure out how to address the needs of one kid — especially if that kid completes their work and poses no disruption to general instruction. At the same time, we know that selective mutism can have negative impacts on educational, behavioral, social and emotional functioning, so it is important for teachers and staff to have the tools to support those students in school. This article provides helpful steps for incorporating the most commonly used behavioral intervention found in SM treatment studies — contingency management systems — into the school setting.
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