Understanding and Working with Selective Mutism in Autism

Michaela O'Rourke, a specialist Speech and Language Therapist at Beechwood College, will be offering autism-specific training by providing an overview of what selective mutism is, how to help people with selective mutism, the do’s and don'ts of selective mutism, people’s experiences of selective mutism and intervention for selective mutism.

This event is a great opportunity to hear from and network with experts in the field, to gain a wealth of knowledge and to exchange fresh ideas.

This training will be suitable for professionals working in:

• Health and Social Care services

• Education services

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will be available for this event.

The event will take place on the 5th of July from 13:00 – 15:00pm BST. There will be a one hour presentation given by Michaela O'Rourke followed by half an hour for questions. (Extra time added to allow for any issues that we may encounter)

The event will take place on Zoom. Following confirmation of booking, you will receive a link to join the virtual conference.

We would like to kindly request that you could keep your microphones off during the presentation.

It is our intention to record the conference for future use.

If you require an invoice or purchase order reference, or if you would like to make a group booking, tickets are also available by contacting our office.

Email: admin@hopegb.co.uk

Telephone numbers: 07595455067 / 01633 495824

*Please note: You must pay in full before attending the event.

(Please see below Michaela's bio for further information)

My name is Michaela O’Rourke. I am a specialist speech and language therapist and have been qualified for almost 3 years. I work at Beechwood College which is a residential college for young people aged 16-25 with a diagnosis of autism. My role involves assessment and implementation of interventions for young people with communication difficulties. This may include students who have a range of diagnoses such as expressive or receptive language disorders, speech sound disorders or selective mutism that can co-occur with an autism diagnosis. I also provide training to residential and education staff teams to promote communication development within our student population and ensure that the students are surrounded by a positive communication environment to help support a total communication approach. I work with students who use a range of communication systems including Makaton, PECS and high tech communication devices. I have created links in the local community to help raise awareness of communication difficulties that people with autism may experience.