Selective Mutism Anxiety & Related Disorders Treatment Center-SMart Center

07/23/2025

👀👂📚 For individuals with (SM), communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about feeling emotionally safe enough to engage.

The Look, Listen, and Learn framework is a simple 3-step approach that helps parents, educators, and professionals build understanding before jumping into treatment strategies:

🔍 Look for signs of anxiety, comfort, and communication attempts
👂 Listen without pressure—nonverbal cues matter
📖 Learn about the child’s individual needs and strengths

Start with observation and empathy—not pressure. Continue reading Dr. E's handout "Look, Listen & Learn" now at https://ow.ly/SyjN50Wu1r7!

07/22/2025

🌍 Families from around the world joined us for July CommuniCamp™—an incredible weekend of growth, connection, and confidence-building for both campers and parents. 💛

Our August 8–11 CommuniCamp™ is right around the corner, and limited spots are still available! 🦋 Here's how CommuniCamp™ will set you and your child up for success this upcoming school year:

🧃 For Campers:
-Instills social confidence
-Builds social communication skills
-Facilitates initiation and engagement with peers
-Opportunities to develop peer relationships
-Increases social comfort with new people & settings

☕ For Parents:
-15+ hours of ALL-DAY parent training
-Receive advice and feedback from our SM experts
-Understand how to support your camper's progress
-Learn how to implement strategies in all settings
-Meet other parents who understand

🦋 Visit CommuniCamp.org now to join our upcoming programs!

07/18/2025

Are you a parent of a child with Selective Mutism (SM)?

If so, we invite you to participate in a confidential exploring different ways that of children with may think or act. This online survey should take less than 25 minutes to complete.

🧠 Why participate?
These insights can directly inform future treatment and support approaches for families navigating SM—and contribute to a greater understanding of the experiences of parenting a child with SM.

Visit https://ow.ly/B6AP50WrOh5 now to complete the survey!

07/17/2025

💬 "Progress does not occur in a group!"

For children with , social communication breakthroughs are more likely in small, comfortable settings—not large, group environments. As Dr. E reminds us, comfort should always precede communication.✨

👥 Start small by practicing strategies with one peer or adult before gradually increasing demands or group size. Learn more about the importance of "out-of-room" work and small group setups in our handout "The Power of Small Groups Out of the Room": https://ow.ly/jtVI50Wr8OL

07/16/2025

👨‍💼NEW BLOG: "I Had Selective Mutism as a Child - Why Am I Still Struggling as an Adult?"🤷‍♂️

Many adults look back on their childhood and remember the intense silence that came with . Because SM is caused by underlying issues like social anxiety or sensory & language differences, those challenges often remain even after the silence fades.

Overcoming these struggles requires more than just “exposures” (like forcing yourself into social situations). Instead, it involves building structured social communication skills and working with a therapist to navigate specific challenges.

Continue reading "I Had Selective Mutism as a Child - Why Am I Still Struggling as an Adult?" now at https://ow.ly/vi1150Wqw7v!

07/13/2025

07/09/2025

What is a misconception of ?

The biggest misconception is the belief that the treatment should focus on getting an individual to speak. At the SMart Center, we focus on meeting each individual where they are—using the Social Communication Bridge® and a whole-person approach to support their unique needs, not just their speech. 💛

Have more questions about SM? Visit our "What is Selective Mutism?" page now at https://ow.ly/tp0q50WnkAT!

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from all of us at the SMart Center! 🎆

As you celebrate, remember: Comfort + Connection Builds Confidence! 💙 Whether you're heading to a big BBQ or a small family gathering, check out these tips to help make the holiday fun for the whole family!

Continue reading our latest blog from Dr. E now at https://ow.ly/jBqe50WkGsS!

07/03/2025

Our June CommuniCamp™ has come to an end, but don't worry! Our July 11-14 and August 8-11 sessions are just around the corner! 🦋 Visit CommuniCamp.org for all program dates and to request more info!

Learn how CommuniCamp™ will set you and your child/teen up for success this upcoming school year:

🧃 For Campers:
-Instills social confidence
-Builds social communication skills
-Facilitates initiation and engagement with peers
-Opportunities to develop peer relationships
-Increases social comfort with new people & settings

☕ For Parents:
-15+ hours of ALL-DAY parent training
-Receive advice and feedback from our SM experts
-Understand how to support your camper's progress
-Learn how to implement strategies in all settings
-Meet other parents who understand

07/02/2025

🗣️ NEW BLOG: Empowering Communication for Children with SM & CAS

💬 “For a child with both and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), understanding how anxiety and speech planning interact is key to building progress—not pressure.” — Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

Treating co-occurring SM and CAS requires a thoughtful, layered approach. From reducing pressure to speak to using personalized goals and supportive strategies, our latest article breaks down Dr. E's recommendations for approaching treatment. 💡

Read "Empowering Communication: Strategies & Recommendations for Treating Selective Mutism and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)" now: https://ow.ly/j0KU50WjLnT

07/01/2025

✨Set your child up for social success this summer!✨ By preparing answers to common questions ahead of time, you can reduce the pressure to think on the spot—making social situations feel less overwhelming.

✅ Grab a free list of helpful questions others can ask:
https://ow.ly/RMG150WjcH6

📚 Want even more tools? Check out Dr. E's Selective Mutism Summer Vacation & Back-to-School Guide for practical tips: https://ow.ly/cOpZ50WjcH7