Dear SM Community,

Happy New Year!

As we think forward about how to best serve our SM community, we have made detailed plans for the coming year to ensure that we continue to spread awareness, educate others, and support those in need. Last year, SMA considered how best to collaborate with schools and decided to create a Toolkit for Educators. We are excited to share it with you. Please see and share this Toolkit with the people in your community. In it, find the following information:

• What is Selective Mutism
• How to Address Concerns with Parents
• School Interventions
• Quick Tips for Teachers
• Discussing SM in the Classroom
• 504/IEP Accommodations/Interventions
• Sample Letter to Send to School Personnel
• Helpful Resources

In 2020, look for us at the National Association for School Psychologists annual convention and the National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference as exhibitors. We are excited to continue to spread awareness/education within these important societies impacting our youth today. Also, we are planning to hold the Selective Mutism Training Institute (a two day professional training event) in April in Miami, FL and our annual conference in the Fall in Baltimore, MD. Look for coming information, including our Call for Papers in the Spring. We will also be adding webinars for parents and professionals on a variety of topics from SM Experts. Stay tuned for these developments.

We have a lot of things planned this year and we are glad you are with us on this journey. Your support means the world to us as we all work together to Rid the Silence.

Warm regards,

Lisa Kovac, Ed.S., Ph.D. along with the SMA Board
SMA Executive Director