This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)  ⁠We Learn more about C&A⁠, our General Mental health Counseling & Assessments division -  In the latest installment of our Ask Dr. E series, we answer four listener questions; including whether or not the use of basic signs is good for a Selectively Mute child, to what to do when specific accommodations don’t seem to be working, to what to do when your child is scared to ask to go to the bathroom at...

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)  -  In the episode, Dr. E and autism expert, Dr. Vera Joffe, discuss the coexistence of SM and autism, the differentiation between the two, treatment considerations, school-based accommodations, and the importance of early screening for autism.  Timestamps:  (2:52) The link between SM and Autism  (16:36) “Sometimes, parents are in denial”  (23:00) The difference between an individual with SM and an individual...

This episode offers valuable insights from Dr. E, Jen, and school professionals, James and Lindsey, on empowering students with selective mutism in the classroom.  - Timestamps:  (04:16) Student overcomes school anxiety with teacher support.  (06:57) Prepare and support children to ease transitions.  (11:01) Observe children and note behavior in class.  (16:00) Use songs and sounds to engage cat.  (18:03) Small groups or one-on-one aid progress.  (21:25) Encouraging verbal...

This episode features a conversation between Dr. E and Lynn Lyons, LICSW. Dr. E and Lynn discuss how to balance parental intervention and accommodations to avoid the pitfalls of excessive worry and anxiety that could cripple a child's development. They emphasized the need for regular parental modeling, skill-building, and promoting flexibility rather than rigidity. - TOPICS:  (04:48) GENERATIONAL ANXIETY IS REAL  (09:41) PARENTS NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR KID'S TREATMENT, TOO  (16:15)...

This episode is a Live Chat with Parents, hosted by Dr. E and moderated by LisaMarie. This is a special recording focused on children ages nine to 12 with selective mutism. Three parents, Daphne, Edwin, and Julie, engage in conversation, sharing their experiences and asking Dr. E questions related to their children's specific circumstances. -- Questions:  (3:40) HOW CAN I BE THE BEST ADVOCATE FOR MY DAUGHTER IN SCHOOL? WE ATTEND A PRIVATE SCHOOL.  (9:54) PUBLIC SCHOOL VS PRIVATE SCHOOL....

In the latest installment of our Ask Dr E podcast series, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum answers five wide-ranging listeners questions relating to Selective Mutism.  Questions:  (1:45) WHAT TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO BEGIN TREATING INDIVIDUALS WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM?  (7:17) MY SEVEN YEAR OLD SON DOESN’T SPEAK IN SCHOOL. ANY SUGGESSTIONS?  (1:18) HOW DO I GET MY CHILD PAST THE VERBAL INTERMEDIARY STAGE?   (9:17) WHEN SHOULD WE USE AAC DEVICES OR APPS IN TREATMENT?  (28:01) HOW DO WE...

Audrey Whisman was diagnosed with Selective Mutism when she was in 5th Grade. After Audrey’s teachers began to share her challenges with her parents, they soon found their way to the SMart Center. Today, over 10 years after her diagnosis, Audrey is absolutely thriving. In this episode, Dr. E sits down with Audrey to discuss how she overcame Selective Mutism. Timestamps (1:37):  (2:58) AUDREY'S STORY  (5:51) TREATMENT STRATEGIES THAT WORKED (8:10) LEAVING SYMPTOMS BEHIND (12:31)...

In this week’s episode, Dr. E answers a handful of holiday-themed mailbag questions from our community. We chat about how to handle family relatives at large family gatherings, tips to give to your child’s teacher ahead of upcoming holiday parties, realistic goals to set for your teen while doing your holiday shopping, and more.   - Timestamps:  [04:37] HOW DO I HANDLE FAMILY RELATIVES WHO DON'T KNOW MY CHILD HAS SM?  (14:05) TIPS TO SHARE WITH TEACHERS AHEAD OF HOLIDAY EVENTS  (24:43)...

[NOTE: this episode originally aired November 2022]  The holiday season is here! While it’s a fun and joyous time, it can also be a stressful and overwhelming time for children and teens with Selective Mutism. Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum sits down with co-host Alex Collins to answer some listener questions on how to best prepare yourself, child or teen heading into the holidays.   Timestamps:  [02:17] What can parents do to prepare their child/teen for the holiday season?  [05:15] Ways to...

In the third installment of our Ask Dr E podcast series, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum answers four wide-ranging questions from our listeners.  Questions:  (1:32) Should we get our son tested?  (6:55) Why is my child leaving their test blank?  (13:59) Should we start medication?   (20:51) Tips for traveling with a teen with Selective Mutism  -  Ask Dr. E a question of your own!  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the...

This episode features a live discussion with Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum and four teenagers at a recent CommuniCamp. The four teens share their individual experiences with Selective Mutism, answering questions, providing advice and recommendations, and serving as a beacon of hope and support to anyone else going through their own journey with Selective Mutism. -  Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center...

Dr. E sits down with SMart Center Lead Clinician Jennifer Brittingham to discuss ways to navigate the testing and assessment process, what to do when your child has difficulty engaging with peers, how to build comfort with teachers, and more.   Topics:  (1:54) How to navigate the testing process  (17:51) What if my child has difficulty engaging with peers?  (30:01) How to build comfort with teachers    (39:18) Strategies for children to become more responsive in the classroom   (42:54)...

Dr. E is joined once again by SMart Center Lead Clinician Jennifer Brittingham to discuss the differences between 504 and IEP plans, ways to get your child’s school staff on board with treatment, how to make progress without a formal 504 or IEP plan, and more. This episode is the perfect primer for the new school year ahead.   Topics:  (2:46) The difference between IEPs and 504s  (11:03) You can make progress without a formal 504 or IEP  (17:29) 504 vs IEP: When’s a good time for...

[NOTE: this episode originally aired September 2022] Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum welcomes Jennifer Brittingham LPC, a SMart Center lead clinician and school consultant to the podcast to discuss all things back to school! From preparing your child/teen and their teachers, to the comfort-building strategies that help with progression of communication, to how to educate the school, to determining IEP & 504 plans, this episode is jam-packed! (2:50) - How to prepare your child for school (12:51)...

In the second installment of our Ask Dr E podcast series, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum answers five questions relating to teenagers with Selective Mutism.  Questions:  (1:12) How do we apply CBT when our teenager visits the doctor? (8:05) Is there any hope for my almost 16 year old son?  (14:35) How can I support getting my teenager to talk in their regular voice at school?  (20:19) Any suggestions on ways to build friendships in and out of the classroom?  (25:52) Should I be concerned about...

This episode features a great discussion between Dr. E and Jennifer Brittingham – the SMart Center’s Lead Clinician and School Consultant - on what parents can do to prepare their children for the summer months ahead. These next few months will provide individuals with SM with some unique opportunities. There will be untraditional socialization situations with peers, visits with extended family, and may even include a summer vacation to a new, unfamiliar place. Dr E and Jen break all these...

This episode features a second installation of our live chat with parents. In this episode, we focus the discussion on children ages three to eight with Selective Mutism. This live chat is moderated once again by CommuniCamp Director and Outreach Coordinator, LisaMarie Vargas. Thank you to the parents who joined the show and for engaging in a thoughtful discussion with Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum and LisaMarie!   Topics:  (00:46) Participants introductions  (2:00) My child is progressing...

This is Part 2 (of 2) of Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum's discussion with Jennifer Brittingham, LPC on Stage 2 of the Social Communication Bridge®, otherwise known as the transitional stage of communication. Here at the SMart Center, we often refer to this stage as ‘The Missing Link’ to treatment.   Timestamps:  (03:49) Verbal intermediary in school setting  (13:07) ‘Selective whisperers’  (21:37) Use of sounds  (24:29) Sound activity example  (33:01) Ritual Sound Approach  (44:26) Final...

Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum is joined once again by Jennifer Brittingham, LPC to break down Stage 2 of the Social Communication Bridge®, otherwise known as the transitional stage of communication. Here at the SMart Center, we often refer to this stage as ‘The Missing Link’ to treatment.   Timestamps:  (01:04) Dr. E's pop quiz (get out your pen and paper!)  (07:22) Re-familiarizing parents with the Social Communication Bridge®  (08:55) How and why Dr. E began focusing her treatment on the...

A few weeks ago, Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum had the pleasure of joining Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner on the Psyched to Practice podcast. Psyched to Practice is a podcast designed to explore the far reaches of mental health. Dr. E and the podcast's co-hosts covered a lot of great material on Selective Mutism and we want to bring everything discussed directly to our podcast feed. Thank you, Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner, for allowing us to bring this amazing episode to our...

If you follow us on social media or receive our monthly newsletter, you’re likely familiar with our ongoing Ask Dr. E segment. “Ask Dr E” is where our community can ask Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum any question they have on any topic relating to Selective Mutism. Since rolling out this segment in 2022, we have received some amazing questions. As a result, we are giving the segment more life by giving it its own series on our podcast feed! These Q&A-type episodes will be released once a quarter,...

Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum speaks with parents of teenagers with Selective Mutism and answers some of their questions. The discussion is moderated by CommuniCamp Director and Outreach Coordinator LisaMarie Vargas. Thank you to both parents who joined the show and for engaging in a thoughtful discussion with Dr. E and LisaMarie! Topics: (00:27) Participant introductions (1:16) How is treatment different for teens and adults with SM compared to children? (12:30) If a teen is struggling to make...

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum welcomes Jennifer Brittingham, LPC back to the podcast to discuss the general approach to providing effective school-based accommodations and interventions and why it’s important to have them. Just like past episodes when Dr. E and Jen get together, the two long-time colleagues cover A LOT of material. Timestamps: (1:43) The Importance of Accommodations and Training (6:49) Approaching School-Based Accommodations (13:10) Moving Through the Social Communication...

This bonus episode features a live Q&A panel that was recorded at a recent CommuniCamp. In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum moderates a five-guest panel of former patients and parents of patients who share their journey overcoming Selective Mutism. The Q&A panel is one of our most popular sessions at CommuniCamp. It offers camp attendees much needed support and hope. - Timestamps: (1:17) Panelist Intros Nick (patient) Glenda’s Intro (parent) Alex’s Intro (patient) Sophie’s...