Testimonials to effective treatment at the SMart Center               

Dr. E,

Just wanted to let you know that the little girl who told me that when she tried to talk her tummy feels funny and asked me "Mommy, do you think it's the words trying to get out?" only feels that feeling when riding on rollercoaster's now!
Dr. E.,
 
Just wanted to give you a quick update on Dani.  She is doing great.  She has overcome SM.  She is able to talk in all settings now, including giving book reports to her class.  I can't believe the change. She started the year with no signs of SM.  She still can seem a little reserved at times but she is able to respond when spoken to even at those times!    Thanks for all you do!  CK 

Miracles do happen. YOU are our miracle.  Thank you.  

After seeing 20/20 and reading People Magazine, I wanted to write to you since Becka has continued to blossom. She is now the talkative child we knew  she could be. She has no signs of SM and is doing so well in school.  Thank you for everything Dr. Shipon-Blum.   

You said it would happen, and you were right. After seeing an array of different professionals, our child has overcome his silence. He is talking to everyone and anyone.
You are a blessing from above and nothing short of a miracle worker, Dr. E      R Kiplings
Mimi just celebrated her 8th birthday. She said "thank you " to everyone and then went around the room and gave out hugs. There were at least 18 relatives there and everyone got a hug! I remember when she turned 6 I explained to all the relatives that she wouldn't be able to "say" thank you, but that she would use  a sign that said thank you. That was the first time
we used that technique because I had read your books and "taught" the family about SM. That night she  obviously felt more freedom as it was the first time she had spoken to some of her relatives! Now, she is continuing to feel more comfortable with family and friends - dancing and singing in front of people and sometimes sharing her clever humor! People are really enjoying
Mimi's company!  Mimi is very good at expressing her feelings and we have great talks about  what is going on in her life! Mimi has a darn good life and it's going to
be a privilege and a joy watching what she will be able to do with it!

Dr E - We are blessed to have found you and been able to take advantage of your service. I can't imagine how you do it all, but where would so many children be if you didn't? I hope someday to be able to contribute in some measurable way to your cause. I appreciate the newsletters and we will stay in touch!

My best wishes to you and your staff!  

K M.
 
Dr. E.,
I wanted to share some wonderful news regarding Lila. As we discussed, I anticipated some possible setbacks at the start of the new school year, even though Lila had made great strides; this summer. She had been completely off her medication for almost three weeks by the time school started.

On the first day of school, I received a phone call from her teacher in the morning.; She wanted to let me know that Lila was talking with her, going up to her and asking her questions, raising her hand and responding in front of the class, and was overall extremely confident.; All of the information I had given to her prior to school starting became irrelevant. There was no warm up period.; She wondered how this child could have had such an anxiety. She has been consistent ever since.; She amazed us all.

I want to thank you for all of your time, knowledge, support and devotion to your profession.; I truly believe we could not have come this far without your influence. It has been quite a ride.
Please know that I will be happy to assist you in any way that I can regarding your mission.

With heartfelt thanks, JL.
Dear Dr. E,
 
We were just saying that we should email you because Kim had her holiday show at school last week, and she was the first one to walk out on stage as part of the color guard (no speaking part) but she sang all of the songs in front of the whole auditorium. Also, this is the first year that she went to see Santa for Christmas and actually spoke to him. She is doing amazing in school and participates (shyly) but speaks during show and tell. So we already received our Christmas gift, and of course we want to thank you immensely for the wonderful work you do for the children.
 

Hi Doctor Shipon Blum

I have wanted to let you know about how well Adam is doing and the incredible success that we have experienced since you helped him with his S.M. I could probably write pages and pages regarding the things he is doing and how amazed my husband and I are.

Can Adam ask for just about anything he wants? Absolutely. If he has trouble in class, does he go up to the teacher and ask for help? All the time. When I want him to go order a drink for me at the food fair; will he do it? Enthusiastically. Does he make friends outside of his small circle in his class? Yes, and he goes out to meet new people. Does he feel uncomfortable is new settings? Not any longer and now embraces new settings. Has your S.M. training helped?
With out a doubt. So there your go Dr. That's your follow up with Adam.

When we moved to NY in August, I told him that he can be anyone he wants to be here, because no one knows him and so go out and be who you want to be. It was and still is unbelievable what we see and what we hear from his teacher.

Thank God for your program.
 
Thanks Dr.E.. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your time in responding like you do. It means soooooo much to me. I feel like you are right there with us every step even as far away as
you are. You are one of a kind. I have been telling everyone about you!!! I want to call 20/20, prime time live, 60 minutes.....sara and I are home this morning, She is doing better, slept in. Its the best medicine. We will get through this. Enjoy your holiday, hug all your children, and kiss all your pups. And know thanks to your gift we are the most blessed people in the world this Thanksgiving, because of meeting you! Jamie C.
 
BEFORE treatment: From School Evaluation THEN:

"When Laura enters the room she appears hesitant and glances quickly around the room. She appears very self conscious and avoids eye contact. she is engaged at center time, but not with other children. Her comfort level drops during larger group activities and she will sit or stand without participating and have little facial expressions. Laura really does not interact in a group setting with others. If the other children try to talk to her she will often turn away."

After Treatment: From School Evaluation NOW:

"Laura is a very happy, well adjusted kindergarten child. She works and plays cooperatively with all her classmates and has developed several close relationships. Laura's only problem seems to be keeping her voice level low when working with friends. Her ability to participate is confident and happy and she expresses her thoughts clearly. She talks with the group about Selective Mutism - what it is and how she works with it. "

In addition, Laura got an "Excellent" in "oral communication" on her first report card!!
 

Dr. E.

A is doing great each day. He now plays with his classmates with complete verbal communication. He communicates well with his teacher. He places orders at restaurants and he is not afraid to respond to questions to any one. Of course he kind of hesitates first, but what a tremendous change. He is now enjoying life. His academic performance also sky rocketed with the teachers being able to evaluate him and see his skills. He raises his hand often in class to answer questions. Everybody in school and outside is amazed by his performance.  

None of these would have been possible without you. You are a miracle maker and we always talk about you. God bless you to change many more lives like A’s.   

We will be happy to share our experience with anyone. We know how helpful the referrals were to give us confidence in your treatment before we knew how good you were. We will keep in touch and I will have A. send you email.   Thank you.  S. 

Hi Dr. E!
I am finally taking a minute to give you an update on Zach.  He is doing extremely well at school and in the real world.  I am so proud of him, and he is very happy with himself as well.  He says most of the time "its easy" and he feels "good about it".  He is using an audible voice at school with his teacher and a few other teachers and loud whisper voice with his classmates.  And in the real world he is ordering at restaurants, paying & getting change, etc.  All of your strategies are in place and we are working them well.   Zach did his first  audible speech for some of his class and his teacher a week ago....we are so excited and proud.  He felt good doing it and he even played his guitar for them after his speech!!!  GREAT JOB Zach!!!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO!!!!  I am one overjoyed mom!!!!!!! 
THANKS AGAIN...I can not say it enough!!!!  Have a wonderful day!!!   S.R
PS:  Give Mr. B a big snuggle from us!!!
 
Hello Dr. E,

Thank you. I never expected our meeting to start out with you helping me, ‘The Mom!’ You truly do understand my feelings. You've been there and done that! Thanks, Mom to Candi.
 

Hi Dr.!

I just wanted to let you know that no news is good news! Kevin met his teacher a few days before school started. He is doing FINE! Spoke the first day, and has done very well since then- he even got a plus on his report card for participating in class! Thank you for everything you did for him and our whole family- You really changed all our lives for the better! Thanks again! Sandi D.
 

Dear Dr. E,

Thank you so much for seeing us today..I walked away feeling wonderful, hopeful and knowing in my heart I am in the right place for Karen.....You made us all feel so comfortable, welcome ...and Karen felt good about herself.....
THANK YOU AGAIN, D and E Bamen.
 
 

I want to thank you for your continued support, leadership and pure heart. I don't think we'd be where we are today without you and SMG~CAN. Best regards, Barbara and family
 

I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful plan. It is so reassuring to have some direction and a formalized plan. More than anything it's nice to know that something really is wrong and we haven't been crazy this whole time! It's easy to beat yourselves up as parents because the symptoms of SM can be so misunderstood. Thanks again for your help. You made our year! We know there is a TON of work ahead of us but you have given us some answers and HOPE! Sincerely, Mom to T.
 
 

I have to tell you, Emie is now whispering to her teacher everyday!!!! Thank you again for such a great plan you made for her! See you in two weeks! Catherine

 

I am thrilled to report that within DAYS of receiving your plans, Nina announced that she wasn't afraid anymore and began talking to everyone in all situations! It was absolutely amazing. In school there aren't any traces of anything (not even warming up or hesitancy)! I have since signed her up for swimming and gymnastics which are both class situations and you would never have guessed that a few months ago, she was sometimes mute. I also signed her up for a "summer explorations program" for kids entering kindergarten because it is being held at her soon to be elementary school and several friends are going. She seems so excited and not the least bit hesitant. I think acknowledgement was key to her success. I hope that you are doing well, and thank you so very much. Mom to Nina

 

Hi, I told Mia we were going to email you today, Wed., to tell you that Mia said her lines for the play yesterday in front of about 100 parents loudly and articulately. the tears couldn't stop flowing from my eyes. She said she got scared when she saw her principal who she doesn't talk to yet but she was still able to do it. Every mom I've become
friends with were holding their breath as were kevin and I but she came through and the response was overwhelming. She got to go to her favorite place, Friendly's last night for dinner and got a new stuffed dog as a reward. Thank you for this gift.

 
 

Hi Dr. B.,
I'm just as excited and thrilled about Becky doing so well!! She has spoken to her aunt, with the new baby, for the first time. She also spoke to a great aunt and even went up closer to her so she could hear her! Then just yesterday Joe had taken Becky and her one brother over to a neighbor's house for something and Becky was able to answer the wife for the first time. So it is sooo great!! I'm just filled with so much joy for her! Just to see her so relaxed and able to enjoy life!! I have a picture, it was taken to give to the moms for mothers day when Becky was in pre- school in 1999. They made cute fuzzy balls to put around the frame that is cardboard but as you can guess, Becky's face is so somber. No smile, blank-it is almost like someone died. I just look at that picture and I know how far she has come!!! It's like she was "stuck" in
a scary world back then. Your help, I just can't say enough about it! Thank you soooo much!! Mom to 9 yr old Becky
 
 

I really wanted to thank you for meeting with us. It was very therapeutic for me. Finally there was someone we could talk to who actually understood what we were talking about and had realistic advice for us. So many times I would try to talk to someone about the girls SM and I would get more frustrated trying to explain it and when they would offer advice I would just smile and say yes, I'll try that but in my head I'd say yeah right, you have no idea what I'm talking about. I didn't have that feeling after meeting with you I felt very positive about the meeting and sorry that we didn't come to you a year ago. Thanks for your time-Donna B.
 

I am really excited about Danny mouthing to you today, and i feel hopeful! i think you are the best Dr. E, you really have a gift and a special way w/kids. Danny’s Mom.
 

                                                                                                                              References available upon Request