Beyond Words: The Truth About Selective (Situational) Mutism
Release Date: 04/18/2025
Beyond the Lesson Plan: Vulnerability Builds Bridges
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Tom Rademacher, an award-winning educator and author, to explore the nuances of creating affirming educational environments. They discuss the importance of vulnerability in teaching, the impact of neurodivergence on learning, and how personal experiences shape educational philosophies. Tom shares thoughts about his book series "Bucket and Friends," which teaches the power of embracing one's uniqueness and the role of agency and optimism in education. TAKEAWAYS There are always opportunities to improve a supportive learning environment. Expressing...
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The Pressure and Peril of Perfectionism
Neurodiversity Podcast
On this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris chats with licensed mental health counselor Leon Garber, host of the Seize the Moment podcast, about the complexities of perfectionism. They explore the many layers, its ties to neurodivergence, and its impact on mental health. Leon shares what he knows about the different forms of perfectionism, including self-imposed, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism, and they discuss how these can manifest in various domains of life. They also examine the role of environmental factors and personal motivations in shaping perfectionistic tendencies....
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Epilepsy Through the Lens of a Mother's Love
Neurodiversity Podcast
In this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris has a heartfelt conversation with Lake Bell, an award-winning actress, writer, and director, who opens up about her journey as a mother navigating her daughter Nova's epilepsy diagnosis. Emily and Lake talk about the challenges of living with neurodiversity, and discuss ways to turn them into victories. Lake shares the impact of seizures on Nova's identity, and she reflects on her own experiences with dyslexia. They talk about the importance of reframing neurodiversity, and the role of advocacy in destigmatizing conditions like epilepsy. TAKEAWAYS ...
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Finding Magic in Neurodiversity and Vice Versa
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Cody Clark, a magician and autistic self-advocate, to talk about Cody's unique approach to blending storytelling and sleight of hand to offer audiences a more authentic perspective on autism. They discuss Cody's personal experiences as a kid, before he understood his autism diagnosis, and how the diagnosis shaped his life. They talk about the importance of embracing special interests, as Cody did for his journey into magic, and the effect of advocacy work for disability inclusion and self-employment for autistic people. TAKEAWAYS Magic and storytelling can help...
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The Self-Regulation Revolution: Mastering Executive Function
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Sarah Kesty, an executive function coach and host of the Executive Function podcast, to talk about challenges and strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals with executive function and emotional regulation. They discuss offloading working memory, and ideas to help create an executive function-friendly environment at home and in the classroom. Sarah shares her three-phase coaching model and they talk about the importance of self-regulation in both academic and home settings. You'll learn how these approaches can transform the learning experience for...
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Surfing Waves of Emotion Through Emotional Regulation
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 282, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes occupational therapist and author Tracey DeMaria, to explore emotional regulation through a metaphor of "surfing the waves." They talk about how the analogy helps both children and adults visualize and manage their emotions, and how that visualization helps the process feel more like a skill to be honed rather than a clinical task. They discuss the importance of language in framing behaviors, the impact of school environments on neurodivergent children, and the integration of sensory and cognitive tools to support emotional well-being. TAKEAWAYS ...
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What Behavior is Really Telling Us
Neurodiversity Podcast
In this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Joshua Stamper, author of The Language of Behavior, to explore decoding and rethinking behavior. Joshua describes his personal journey from a reluctant student to an inspiring educator, and how early experiences shaped his philosophy on supporting students. The conversation covers key topics such as trauma-informed practices, the importance of building relationships in education, and Joshua's innovative framework for understanding behavior through environment, root causes, and intentional response. They also touch on burnout and the need for...
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Playing May Be the Most Important Work We Do
Neurodiversity Podcast
On today's episode, Emily Kircher-Morris talks about the transformative power of play with Georgie Wisen-Vincent, a nationally recognized expert in play therapy. Emily and Georgie explore how play supports emotional resilience, not just in young children, but across all ages. They talk about the importance of adapting play for neurodivergent children, and the role of play in fostering emotional regulation and executive function. They also discuss ways to engage with children through play, and provide suggestions on how to create meaningful connections that nurture their development. TAKEAWAYS ...
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Christopher Willard on Mental Health, Education, and Farts (!?)
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Christopher Willard, a clinical psychologist and author, about the complexities of life's major transitions. At this time of year, this is an especially-important conversation, as some students prepare for the shift to college life. They share their own experiences and provide advice on navigating the pressures of newfound independence, the importance of self-care, and the role of systemic support in easing major transitions. Yes, they also talk about farts, so this episode has something for everyone. TAKEAWAYS It's important to understand the mental...
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Revisiting Girls and ADHD
Neurodiversity Podcast
Generalizations about ADHD haven’t done girls any favors. ADHD often manifests very differently in girls than in boys. What causes parents, educators, and even doctors, to view the symptoms of ADHD differently with girls? We know that masking, and even variations in environments, often cause symptoms to be missed. How is that happening? We’re revisiting the subject and chat with Stephen Hinshaw, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. Find out more about building neurodiversity-affirming schools, and...
info_outlineToday, Emily Kircher-Morris and Meredith Polsky look into the complexities of selective mutism, exploring its definitions, the importance of language in understanding it, and the personal experiences that led Meredith to specialize in this area. They discuss the myths surrounding selective mutism, and its manifestation as an anxiety disorder rather than a choice or a form of shyness. Meredith shares her journey as a parent of children with selective mutism and the challenges she faced in finding appropriate treatment, ultimately leading her to become a clinician herself. They explore the challenges of diagnosis, and provide effective therapeutic techniques. This is a must-listen for adults supporting children with selective mutism.
TAKEAWAYS
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Selective mutism is often misunderstood as a choice.
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Language matters in discussing selective mutism.
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The term 'situational mutism' is gaining popularity.
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Parents play a crucial role in treatment.
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Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder, not shyness.
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Pushing children to speak can increase anxiety.
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There is a lack of awareness among clinicians about selective mutism.
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Selective mutism can complicate the diagnosis of autism.
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Children with selective mutism may not exhibit typical anxiety responses.
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Effective communication strategies are crucial for children with selective mutism.
Register here for a free one-hour continuing education webinar entitled The Cost of Camouflage: Exploring Masking and Burnout in Neurodivergent Clients. It’s a free service of the Neurodiversity University!
Meredith Polsky, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in Selective Mutism through her private practice, Counseling Out Loud. With a career dedicated to supporting children with diverse needs, she also serves as the Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships at Matan, Inc., an organization she co-founded in 2000 to promote inclusion in education.
Meredith is the co-author of the award-winning I Have a Question children’s book series (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), which helps children—both with and without disabilities—navigate complex topics. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan, an MA in Early Childhood Special Education from Bank Street College, an MA in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University, and a graduate certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University.
BACKGROUND READING
Counseling Out Loud, Matan, I Have a Question, LinkedIn, Selective Mutism Association