Selective Mutism

I am a [SUBJECT/GRADE LEVEL] teacher working with a class of [NUMBER] students. I want to help my students develop their public speaking skills in a way that is inclusive and supportive of a range of needs.

My students include individuals with the following disabilities or learning differences: [LIST ANY KNOWN OR ANTICIPATED NEEDS, e.g. ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, autism, speech and language difficulties, hearing impairments, motor difficulties, selective mutism].

The public speaking task I am preparing them for is: [DESCRIBE THE TASK, e.g. a 3-minute presentation to the class, a debate, a spoken exam response].

Please help me with the following: [CHOOSE ONE OR MORE]

• Suggest accommodations and modifications for students with the disabilities listed above, both in how I teach the skill and how I assess it

• Create a structured preparation framework that reduces anxiety and builds confidence step by step

• Write a rubric that assesses communication and effort rather than penalizing students for disability-related differences

• Suggest alternative formats that still meet the learning goal for students who cannot present in a traditional way

• Generate a list of scaffolding activities to build up to the final task gradually

• Advise me on how to create a classroom environment where students feel psychologically safe practicing

A few things to keep in mind: [OPTIONAL BUT HELPFUL]

• My school's policy on accommodations is: [DESCRIBE OR WRITE "I'll handle this separately"]

• I have access to the following resources or tools: [e.g. speech therapy support, assistive technology, extra time]

• The timeline for this task is: [e.g. 4 weeks away]

• My main concern right now is: [e.g. one student with selective mutism, general anxiety in the class, assessment fairness]

Please tailor your suggestions to be practical and classroom-ready, not theoretical. Where relevant, flag anything I should discuss with a specialist such as a SENCO, speech therapist, or educational psychologist.