Supporting Autistic Children with Selective Mutism: Tips from SLT Libby Hill

Supporting Autistic Children with Selective Mutism | A Conversation with Libby Hill, SLT ‪@smalltalkspeechtherapy1857‬

How can we best support autistic children who also experience selective mutism? In this enlightening interview, Anna Biavati is joined by the incredible Libby Hill, a highly respected speech and language therapist with 37 years of experience, to explore this vital question.

Libby brings a neurodiversity-affirming approach to her work, specialising in autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and selective mutism. As a therapist, author, and proud member of the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, she offers invaluable insight into adapting traditional interventions—like graded exposure—to meet the unique needs of autistic children.

Together with her canine co-therapist Ralph the chocolate Labrador, Libby helps children from all backgrounds—whether they are pre-verbal gestalt language processors or university students—feel safe, heard, and supported.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

How SM presents differently in autistic children

Why traditional approaches may need to be adapted

Which therapeutic techniques Libby finds most effective

How parents can confidently support their child at home

What inspired Libby’s must-read book ‘Doing What It Takes’

Whether you're a parent, therapist, or educator, this episode is full of practical advice, deep empathy, and empowering strategies to help children find their voice—on their own terms.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to support more families navigating the intersection of autism and selective mutism.

📘 Get Libby’s book: Doing What It Takes: Selective Mutism – A Parent’s Guide to Unlocking Their Child’s Voice

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HELLO and welcome!!
My name is Anna Biavati and I am a specialist Speech & Language Therapist. I made this channel to share my passion for sharing language tips to help your child communicate outside your home but doing so in a fun and relaxed way.

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🌟 FREE Selective Mutism Survival Kit
Start with the essential tools I teach families in my clinic, simple, practical, and calm-body friendly.

👉 Download here: https://stepstobravetalking.com/sm-su...
(Scripts, first-step strategies, emotional-regulation tools, and confidence routines.)

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✨ Want the Proven Path to Brave Talking?
If you’re ready to help your child move from freeze → connection → brave talking, my signature programme is now open.

👉 Join Steps to Brave Talking
https://stepstobravetalking.com/

Inside you’ll learn how to:
✔ Understand your child’s anxious brain
✔ Build safety before speech
✔ Reduce shutdowns and emotional overwhelm
✔ Support communication at school, home & public places
✔ Make brave talking feel natural, not forced

If you’re tired of guessing what to try next, this is your roadmap. 💛

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🔗 More Helpful Links & Resources
🎓 Awesome Powers Academy (Parent Program):
https://awesomepowers.stepstobravetal...
🎓 The Brave Muscle Method Blueprint (Free Training):
Email me for personalised support: [email protected]

🌐 Social Media & Support Communities
🔵 Facebook Page:
Selective Mutism Therapy & Support
  / selective.mutism.therapy.and.support  
👥 Facebook Support Group:
Selective Mutism Support Hub
  / selectivemutismsupporthub  
📸 Instagram:
@selective_mutism_anna_biavati
  / selective_mutism_anna_biavati  

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🌟 Want to Shape the Future of SM Support?
I’m inviting a small group of parents into my Parent Research Project — a special space where your insights will directly influence the tools, scripts, and support I create inside Steps to Brave Talking.

👉 Join the Parent Research Project:
https://stepstobravetalking.com/paren...

Your voice matters — for your child, and for families worldwide. 🌱💛

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❓ Have Questions or Suggestions?
Want me to cover something in a future video? Submit it here:
http://bit.ly/4gIl1vb

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💬 Why Subscribe?
Every week I share simple, science-based tools from my private practice to help your child feel safer, calmer, and more confident communicating.
Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss a new video.

   • Supporting Autistic Children with Selectiv...  

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