Selective Mutism Anxiety & Related Disorders Treatment Center-SMart Center

10/28/2025

October is 💙

Real-world settings, like school, playdates, or family gatherings, can feel overwhelming for individuals with . With the right support and approach, these moments can become opportunities to build confidence and strengthen social communication skills!

👉 Read Dr. E's full handout, "The Child/Teen with SM in the Real World," now: https://ow.ly/rFup50Xjgc1.

10/24/2025

🌟 NEW BLOG: “Typical Goals for Teens and Young Adults with Selective Mutism” 💬💙

Read Dr. E’s latest post now 👉 https://ow.ly/W8X150XhKFu

As children with grow into their teen and young adult years, their goals in treatment evolve too. For some, that might mean ordering their own food, giving a class presentation, or feeling comfortable making friends in new settings.

Every individual’s journey looks different — and that’s okay. 🌱 Progress isn’t defined by one-size-fits-all milestones, but by personalized goals that build real-world confidence, independence, and self-advocacy.

📩 Questions? Email us at Support@SelectiveMutismCenter.org or call us at (215) 887 5748!

By Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum For teens and young adults with Selective Mutism, if symptoms persist, does not disappear in adolescence. It changes form. As children become teens and young adults, their worlds expand and so do the expectations for independence, social participation, and self-advocacy. For...

10/24/2025

Does your tween or teen struggle with speaking up, joining in, or feeling confident in social situations? 🫣 🎉 Join our two new virtual social skills series for tweens (ages 10-12) and teens (ages 13-17)!

🔗 Enroll now at https://ow.ly/4Hkj50XhGYT! Registration closes October 29!

This 6-week, virtual series is designed especially for tweens and teens with Social Anxiety, Selective Mutism, and social communication challenges! Your tween/teen will:
✅ Build social communication confidence through games, role-plays, and teamwork challenges
✅ Practice real-life social skills like greetings, asking/answering questions, & keeping conversations going
✅ Strengthen friendship skills, including sharing ideas, problem-solving, & joining group projects
✅ Discuss coping strategies for managing social anxiety, such as relaxation, preparation, & confidence-building tools
✅ and so much more!

💙 Every activity for each age group is guided by our trained clinicians, ensuring each tween or teen is met where they are, whether nonverbal, transitioning into speech, or verbal. Don't miss the opportunity to give your child the tools for social comfort, connection, and confidence!

📩 Questions? Email us at Support@SelectiveMutismCenter.org or call us at (215) 887 5748!

10/23/2025

Calling all NJ educators! 💬 Join Jennifer Brittingham, LPC, at the 2025 NJEA Convention in Atlantic City for her in-person workshop, “Strategies to Help Children with Selective Mutism Speak in School.”📍 November 6, 11:15 AM (EST)

Learn practical, evidence-based strategies to help students with build comfort, strengthen communication, and make meaningful progress with peers and teachers.

Can't attend, but want to help a child or student with SM? 👉 Explore our school services: https://ow.ly/eRHj50Xh7Ku

The SMart Center offers a variety of school-based services to help support students with SM year-round! From school consultations and on-site or general training opportunities to our SM in the School Self-Paced Course, we partner with educators to build social communication, comfort, and connection in the school setting!

📩 Questions? Email us at Support@SelectiveMutismCenter.org or call us at (215) 887 5748!

10/22/2025

EP63 features a discussion between Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum, a lead Clinical Psychologist at the SMart Center and the Director of the SMart Center’s growing general mental health department, Counseling & Assessments.

In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna discuss the upcoming halloween holiday.

They talk through practical strategies for helping children with Selective Mutism navigate Halloween activities successfully, how to make Halloween fun rather than pressure-filled, ways to tailor experiences to each child's comfort level and developmental stage, and more.

10/21/2025

Support life-changing research and resources for individuals with —donate today at https://ow.ly/hb3a50XfP3B 💙

The Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI) is dedicated to advancing understanding, treatment, and support for individuals with SM. Through ongoing research, education, and community resources, SMRI helps pave the way toward better outcomes for children, teens, and families.

Join us this to help make a difference! 📩 Questions? Email us at Support@SelectiveMutismCenter.org or call us at (215) 887 5748!

10/21/2025

10/17/2025

Does your tween or teen struggle with speaking up, joining in, or feeling confident in social situations? 🫣 Join our two new virtual social skills series for tweens (ages 10-12) and teens (ages 13-17)! 🎉

This 6-week, virtual series is designed especially for tweens and teens with , , and social communication challenges! In this supportive and fun group, your tween/teen will build social communication confidence, practice real-life social skills, strengthen friendship skills, discuss coping strategies, and so much more!

💙 Every activity for each age group is guided by our trained clinicians, ensuring each tween or teen is met where they are, whether nonverbal, transitioning into speech, or verbal.

🔗 Register now at https://ow.ly/Bz6K50XefkP!

10/16/2025

🗣️ Misunderstanding from Others 💭 Parents of children with (SM) often hear words like “shy,” “defiant,” or “manipulative.” 💔

But here’s the truth: Selective Mutism is not a choice.

It’s a Social Communication Anxiety Disorder, where anxiety physically blocks speech in specific settings. When others misunderstand, families can feel isolated and frustrated. That’s why awareness and compassion matter more than ever.

💡 Let’s replace judgment with understanding.
💙 Let’s replace pressure with patience.
🌉 Let’s build comfort, connection, and confidence—one step at a time.

👉 Learn more at https://selectivemutismcenter.org/what-is-selective-mutism/ or email us at Support@SelectiveMutismCenter.org!

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10/15/2025

🌟 $500 CommuniCamp™ Grants Now Available! 🌟

Looking to help your child build social confidence and communication skills this winter? Thanks to our generous donors, a limited number of $500 CommuniCamp™ Grants are available now! Don't wait to secure yours! 🎉

✅ Eligibility:
• Household income of $150,000 or less
• Child aged 3–17+
• Child experiencing social communication challenges (diagnosis not required*)
• Open to U.S. and international families

Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis! Apply now at https://forms.office.com/r/H0jsMH7wLx to secure your spot in our January 16-19 or February 13-16 sessions!

Questions? 📧 Email us at CommuniCamp@SelectiveMutismCenter.org!

*A Selective Mutism Evaluation/Interview is a pre-requisite for CommuniCamp™ to determine eligibility*

10/14/2025

🎉 NEW BLOG: “Courage Isn’t Loud: Rethinking the Emphasis on Treating to Speak in Children with SM” 💙🤐

When supporting a child with , it’s natural to focus on helping them talk. But for children and teens with SM, a social communication anxiety disorder, this focus can sometimes create pressure, misunderstanding, and even setbacks.

Because courage isn’t loud. Bravery isn’t measured in words or volume. For these children, courage might mean walking into class without clinging, whispering a sound for the first time, handing over a toy, or simply showing up.

These quiet moments are powerful milestones on their journey toward confident communication. 🌟 Read Dr. E’s latest blog "Courage Isn't Loud: Rethinking the Emphasis on Treating to Speak in Children with SM" now at https://ow.ly/ma2a50Xbmg4 🔗

10/13/2025

October is 💙 Did you know that 1 in 143 individuals struggle with ? (Bergman, Piacentini, et al.) While it can often feel isolating, you are not alone.

There are many ways for children and teens with SM to connect with others who truly understand—whether through online parent forums, virtual social groups, or CommuniCamp™, our intensive group program that brings families together for connection and growth.

To learn more about these resources, contact our team at Support@SelectiveMutismCenter.org!