SAFE-STEPS: Rethinking Selective Mutism – Safety Before Speech

SAFE-STEPS™: Rethinking Selective Mutism – Safety Before Speech Let’s Talk Small Talk with Libby Hill What if we've been approaching selective mutism from the wrong direction? What if, instead of focusing on getting a child to speak, we first focused on creating the conditions in which communication feels safe? In this solo episode of Let’s Talk Small Talk, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist Libby Hill introduces her SAFE-STEPS™ approach to selective mutism, drawing on 40 years of clinical experience and her work with children, teenagers and families. Libby explores why selective mutism is so much more than a difficulty speaking, and why traditional approaches that focus primarily on increasing speech can overlook the nervous system, relationships, environment and communication demands. She discusses the importance of understanding each young person's individual profile, recognising the difference between communication competence and communication access, and moving away from pressure, compliance and expectations towards safety, connection and trust. Because the goal isn't simply to get a child talking. It's to help them feel safe enough to communicate, in whatever way works for them. An essential listen for parents, teachers, speech and language therapists and anyone supporting children and young people with selective mutism.