Selective Mutism Therapy & Support

11/09/2026

A simple “Why?” can feel like a very big question for a child with selective mutism.

In this conversation, we explore why open-ended questions can create so much pressure and why changing how we ask can make communication feel safer and more manageable.

It’s not about avoiding communication. It’s about understanding what is happening underneath and giving the child a way to participate without overwhelming their nervous system.

Small changes from the adults around them can make a huge difference. 💛

10/09/2026

What happens when a child has big feelings but doesn't have the words to express them?

In this episode, I sit down with Brenda Levin, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and author of What I Really Want to Hear, to discuss the powerful role that emotions, active listening, and emotional safety play in children's development.

🧠 Discover My Brain Land – helping children understand anxiety, emo...

09/09/2026

For children with selective mutism, school support should begin with safety, not speech. 💛

When parents, teachers and therapists understand what sits underneath the silence, we can reduce pressure, build connection and help communication grow, one small step at a time.

📖 Read my practical guide for supporting children with selective mutism at nursery and primary school.

🔗 Blog link in the comments.

💬 What do you wish your child’s school understood about selective mutism?

08/09/2026

Most children desperately want to join in.

They're not choosing silence.
They're responding to anxiety in the only way their nervous system knows how.

When teachers understand this, everything changes.

Less pressure.
More understanding.
More opportunities for genuine progress.

Every child deserves adults who look underneath the behaviour.

07/09/2026

So grateful for this lovely feedback. 💛

Giving families clarity, understanding and a clear way forward is always where we begin. 🌱

06/09/2026

✨ Instead of saying, "Let's read the book..."

Try saying...

"Can you show me the funniest picture?" 👀

Or...

"Which page do you like the most?"

When reading feels difficult or overwhelming, the goal isn't to get children to read straight away.

The goal is to help them feel safe enough to connect with the book first.

Curiosity creates connection.

Connection creates confidence.

And confidence often comes before reading.

📖 My Brain Land was written to help children explore big feelings through simple language, beautiful illustrations, and gentle conversations, without pressure.

Comment "BOOK" below if you'd like to learn more about My Brain Land and help your child build confidence through stories. 💛

👋 Hi! I'm Anna Biavati, a highly specialised Speech and Language Therapist by day, book author and Instagrammer by night.

Follow for practical support with childhood anxiety, book recommendations, and evidence-based strategies for parents, schools, and therapists who want to help children feel safe, confident, and brave.

05/09/2026

Sometimes what we see on the surface isn’t the whole story.

“They’re refusing.”
“They’re not engaging.”
“They don’t want to join in.”

But what if we changed the question?

Instead of “How do I change this behaviour?” try asking:

“What is this behaviour telling me?”

Therapists and teachers, this week I’d love you to notice what might be happening underneath. 🧠

Because safety comes before speech.

04/09/2026

Calling all therapists supporting selective mutism!

Have you ever finished a session and thought:

“Am I doing enough?”
“What should I try next?”

That question doesn’t mean you don’t know what you’re doing.

Selective mutism is complex. Every child is different. And sometimes we need another clinical mind in the room to help us stop, observe, reflect and see something differently.

That’s what the Brave Muscle Clinical Circle is about.

A small, supportive clinical space where we can talk about real cases, real challenges and real clinical decisions, together.

💬 Bring your case.
🧠 Bring your questions.
✨ Leave with ideas for your next step.

Join us this September.

👉 Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brave-muscle-clinical-circle-september-tickets-1998880021954

04/09/2026

FULL HOUSE! 🎉

I’m absolutely delighted that my Selective Mutism Training for Primary School Staff is now fully booked!

It’s wonderful to see so many professionals wanting to learn how to support children with selective mutism through safety, understanding and practical strategies, without pressure.

Missed this one? I’ll be running more training in the future.

👉 Join the waiting list here and be the first to hear about new dates:
https://forms.gle/551KB14yNRtQ6N9VA

Small steps build strong voices and powerful minds. 💛

03/09/2026

Understanding Selective Mutism: A Video Every Classroom Should Watch

There is something I feel very strongly about.

If we want to support children with selective mutism, we cannot only educate the adults around them.

We need to help other children understand too.

Because children can be some of the most wonderful supporters of other children — when we give them the understanding to do it.

Imagine being the child in the classroom who desperately wants to join in, laugh, answer, say hello or talk to a friend… but in certain moments, the words simply won’t come.

Now imagine the difference it could make if the children sitting beside you understood.

If they knew you weren't being rude.

You weren't ignoring them.

You weren't choosing not to speak.

And, most importantly, they didn't need to keep asking:

“Why don't you talk?”

They could simply include you.

Sit beside you.

Play with you.

Give you time.

Accept a smile, a nod or a gesture as communication.

And continue being your friend without making your voice the most important thing about you.

That is why I created this short, child-friendly video explaining selective mutism.

It's simple.

It's gentle.

And I hope it starts some very important conversations in classrooms.

Because perhaps one of the most powerful things we can teach children is not how to make another child speak…

…but how to help another child feel safe enough to belong.

Please share this with your child's school, teacher or nursery.

I would absolutely love to see classrooms watching this together and children learning how they can support one another. 💛

Understanding Selective Mutism: A Video Every Classroom Should Watch

https://youtu.be/vOsu6NHj4pI?is=RXaaQeaBpeStlxw9

SHARE IT WITH SCHOOLS.

Because sometimes the child who says very little needs their classmates to understand the most.

Have you ever known the answer... but suddenly couldn't get the wor...