Key Takeaways

• Selective mutism is an anxiety-based communication disorder that impacts a student’s ability to speak in specific settings, such as school.
• Evidence-based strategies, including gradual exposure, positive reinforcement, and accommodations, can support students in overcoming selective mutism.
• Example IEP goals provided in this guide can help educators create effective, individualized plans to support student success.

For some students, speaking in the classroom feels effortless. For others, the expectation to talk—even in simple interactions—can trigger overwhelming anxiety. Selective mutism is not a matter of shyness or defiance but a complex anxiety disorder that makes verbal communication in certain settings incredibly challenging.

Without proper support, students with selective mutism may struggle to participate in class discussions, ask for help, or engage with their peers. However, with structured interventions and thoughtful IEP goals, educators and therapists can create a safe, supportive environment that gradually builds a student’s confidence in communication.

This guide covers what selective mutism is, how it affects students in academic and social settings, and evidence-based strategies to help them develop their voice—one step at a time.

What is Selective Mutism?

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by a consistent inability to speak in certain social settings despite being able to speak comfortably in familiar environments. It is not a behavioral choice but rather a response to extreme social anxiety.

Factors contributing to selective mutism can vary from individual to individual, but common factors include genetic predisposition, temperament, and environmental influences. It is essential to recognize that selective mutism is not a result of shyness or a lack of intelligence. Students with selective mutism often have average or above-average cognitive abilities.

Students with selective mutism may struggle with:

• Participating in classroom discussions
• Asking for help or clarification
• Engaging in peer interactions
• Demonstrating knowledge orally

Without appropriate support, these challenges can impact academic progress and social development.

Strategies for Supporting Students with Selective Mutism

Supporting a student with selective mutism requires patience, consistency, and a structured approach. The goal is to create a safe and encouraging environment that gradually reduces anxiety around speaking while building confidence in communication. Below are evidence-based strategies to help students navigate social interactions and develop their voice at their own pace.

1. Gradual Exposure & Desensitization

• Use a hierarchy approach, beginning with nonverbal communication and progressing to verbal responses in low-anxiety settings.
• Allow the student to speak in a whisper before moving to full voice responses.

2. Positive Reinforcement & Accommodations

• Provide praise and rewards for small communication successes.
• Allow alternative communication methods (e.g., writing or technology) as a stepping stone.

3. Structured Social Interaction Opportunities

• Incorporate peer interaction in low-pressure situations.
• Use structured small-group activities to encourage participation.

4. Visual Supports & Social Scripts

• Provide cue cards, visual schedules, and scripted responses to ease anxiety.
• Model expected social interactions through role-playing and video modeling. 

Here’s an example video modeling lesson that helps students learn how to make eye contact comfortably:

5. Family & School Collaboration

• Educate staff and peers on selective mutism to foster a supportive environment.
• Encourage consistent strategies across home and school settings.

What Are IEP Goals?

Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals are specific, measurable objectives designed to support a student’s unique learning and developmental needs. These goals are part of a formal IEP document, which outlines the specialized instruction, services, and accommodations a student with disabilities will receive to help them succeed in school.

IEP goals target areas where a student needs support, such as academics, communication, social skills, and behavior. 

For students with selective mutism, goals often focus on gradually increasing verbal communication in different settings, reducing anxiety around speaking, and developing alternative ways to participate in classroom activities while building confidence. These goals are carefully tailored to each student’s needs, ensuring they receive the right support to make meaningful progress.

How to Set IEP Goals for Selective Mutism

Developing and implementing IEP goals for students with selective mutism requires a structured, collaborative approach to ensure student success.

Step 1: Collaborate with Key Stakeholders

IEP goals should be developed in collaboration with the student, parents, teachers, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and mental health professionals. A multidisciplinary approach ensures that goals are personalized and achievable.

Step 2: Assess Current Communication Skills

Before setting goals, assess the student’s:

• Verbal communication in different settings
• Use of nonverbal communication (gestures, nodding, pointing)
• Level of anxiety in speaking situations
• Social interactions and participation in class

Step 3: Set SMART IEP Goals

IEP goals should follow the SMART framework:

• Specific: Clearly define the skill to be developed.
• Measurable: Set criteria for tracking progress.
• Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic based on the student’s needs.
• Relevant: Align with the student’s social and academic needs.
• Time-Bound: Establish a timeframe for achieving the goal.

Example SMART Goal: “The student will use a verbal response (e.g., one-word answer) when greeted by a familiar adult in a structured setting in 4 out of 5 opportunities.”

Step 4: Implement Evidence-Based Strategies to Support Goals

• Provide structured opportunities for the student to practice verbal communication in low-anxiety settings.
• Gradually increase the complexity of speaking tasks based on comfort levels (e.g., whispering → speaking to one person → speaking to a group).
• Utilize accommodations and visual supports, such as communication cards or peer modeling.

Step 5: Monitor Progress and Adjust Goals

• Collect quantitative and qualitative data through teacher observations, self-assessments, and formal evaluations.
• Track response rates across different settings (e.g., classroom vs. one-on-one) to adjust interventions accordingly.
• If progress is slow, modify supports (e.g., breaking down tasks further, increasing reinforcement, adjusting anxiety management strategies).

Step 6: Support Parents and Caregivers

• Provide training and resources to help families reinforce communication strategies at home.
• Encourage collaboration between school and home to create consistency in intervention approaches.
• Offer guidance on how to gradually expose the student to verbal communication opportunities outside of school.

Example IEP Goals for Students with Selective Mutism

Below are 9 example IEP goals for students with selective mutism.

Goal 1: Increase Verbal Communication in Structured Settings

Objective 1: The student will respond verbally to greetings from familiar adults in a structured setting in 80% of opportunities.

Objective 2: The student will provide one-word verbal responses to academic questions in a small group setting in 75% of opportunities.

Objective 3: The student will ask for help or clarification using verbal communication in 90% of opportunities.

Here’s an example video modeling lesson from Everyday Speech that demonstrates effective greetings for peers:

Goal 2: Develop Coping Strategies to Manage Anxiety in Social Situations

Objective 1: The student will practice relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing) in 80% of anxiety-inducing situations.

Objective 2: The student will use a visual support (e.g., a communication card) to request a break in 90% of opportunities.

Objective 3: The student will independently use positive self-talk strategies to manage anxiety in 75% of observed situations.

Here’s an example mindfulness video from Everyday Speech that helps students practice box breathing:

Goal 3: Improve Social Interactions and Peer Relationships

Objective 1: The student will initiate and maintain a conversation with a peer for at least three exchanges using a verbal response in 80% of opportunities.

Objective 2: The student will demonstrate active listening skills (e.g., making eye contact, nodding) in 75% of observed interactions.

Objective 3: The student will engage in cooperative play activities with peers, taking turns and sharing materials, in 90% of opportunities.

Here’s an example video modeling lesson from Everyday Speech that helps students understand how to initiate conversations:

Bonus IEP Resource

Everyday Speech is a no-prep social skills curriculum that teaches skills like self-regulation, resilience, and problem-solving through evidence-based video modeling. Here is an example video modeling lesson from our curriculum: Understanding My IEP.

The video, developed for middle and high school students, guides students through understanding their IEP, highlighting its purpose, components, and the importance of self-advocacy in customizing their educational experience: 

Supporting students with selective mutism requires a personalized approach that addresses communication challenges and social-emotional needs. By setting targeted, measurable IEP goals and implementing evidence-based strategies, educators and therapists can provide structured guidance to help students develop confidence and communication skills.

With the right interventions and consistent support, students with selective mutism can successfully engage in verbal communication and social interactions, fostering meaningful connections in both academic and social settings.