CommuniCamp™ Commentary: Take Their Word For It!
Children, tweens, and teens 3-17-years-old with Selective Mutism and Related Social Communication Anxiety Disorders from across the globe attend CommuniCamp, our intensive group treatment program. Children learn strategies and coping skills based on Dr. E’s Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®) to “Cross the Social Communication Bridge” into speech! They laugh, role-play, learn coping strategies, and make new friends while parents are educated, share stories and experiences, and become empowered! To learn more about CommuniCamp and apply to register, click here.
100% of parents rated CommuniCamp™ as “Excellent” and 100% of parents highly recommend the camp to others!
These families traveled from California and Canada to the Greater Philadelphia Area to the SMart Center’s CommuniCamp™ Intensive Group Treatment and Parent Training Program. These amazing, dedicated parents of children with Selective Mutism say that CommuniCamp™ turned their confusion about SM into clarity, and that the program provided them with hope and a supportive network to be able to help their children speak in school, in the real world, and at home.
“We all have a story and things we struggle with. Mine just so happened to be getting my words out. I want to help others know that they are not alone, and they don’t need to stay stuck and feel like they are isolated from everyone else. They can do it just like I did! The rest is history. I have crossed over that bridge that once felt impossible to get across. It took people believing in me, like my family and Dr. E and her staff. Getting your feet to move across the bridge is the hardest part. But once you are moving, you don’t want to stop until you are to the other side. I didn’t believe the day would come that I could say “I’m not scared to talk anymore!” But, that day has come. I overcame Selective Mutism!” – Chloe C.
“[After attending CommuniCamp™, our daughter] answers questions directly via choice questions, whispers her answers in a group, and was paired with a buddy at school who she hit it off with. After school, she screamed to [us] in front of many adults, ‘I FINALLY HAVE A BEST FRIEND!’ [We] see a change in her – she is now happy, confident, and calm!
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making us feel safe, in good company, and optimistic about the future. This was a life-changing weekend for our family and we are so grateful.”
“Great info – I feel this was the missing link that we needed, as a family, to continue on our journey.”
“Thank you, Dr. E and all your staff, for an amazing weekend. You really are an answer to my prayers as I’ve researched the past year on the best approach and next steps to take with my son. The S-CAT® treatment protocol just makes sense to me. As a physical therapist, I value giving patients concrete steps and methods to achieve their goals for overcoming whatever issue they are facing. I feel that is what S-CAT® is for me when trying to figure out the next steps with my son. It is a tool that helps guide the way and doesn’t leave me feeling overwhelmed”
“It was amazing to be around other parents which SM children and to see my child interact with these parents and their children. I realized how much anxiety I was experiencing when people who don’t understand SM approach my child. The skills learned to help my child also help me feel very empowered instead of anxious. It was a cathartic weekend in so many ways!”
“This weekend was worth every penny – it surpassed my expectations. The kids really bonded and the afternoon playdates were awesome. I ditched all of my plans to tour Philadelphia, and got to see a really happy child with her new friends – which was MUCH more awesome than touring Philadelphia!”
“I was surprised with the number of professionals and educated counselors – it was wonderful. I felt that the SMart Center did a fantastic job giving the kids the help they need in a really fun way!”
All clinicians and counselors were able to present in a comfortable and knowledgeable manner. They covered every possible factor. I was extremely impressed with their awareness and recommendations in treating SM. In addition, they were empathetic to parents’ confusion about SM. I am thankful for the resources and support I have now.
“Amazing! Very compassionate and understanding. My child felt safe and loved camp! She felt understood, as did the parents.”
“Great info – I feel this was the missing link that we needed, as a family, to continue on our journey.”
“I’m very happy with how camp went – I had wanted my child to meet other kids like her, and get a nice confidence boost. She even spoke to other parents, through me, and loud enough for them to hear!”
“Amazing to see my child interacting with other children at the park, talking and totally comfortable. She loves CommuniCamp!”
“Provided guidance that I could not find locally – gave me a starting point to navigate.”
“Sophie understands and lived SM – my child relates and feels very comfortable with her.”
Working on understanding the Social Communication Bridge® and Big 5 Words!
Feedback on our counselors:
“Staff to camper ratio was very good – also very positive attitudes!”
“They have a very educated staff, who all have an actual understanding of the issues AT HAND”
“My child spoke very positively of her counselors – she appreciated each of them.”
“The counselors were very accessible and available for questions and individual concerns.”
“The counselors demonstrated ability to accommodate the unique needs of my child – and the ability to bond and promote opportunities.”
“My child was very proud of herself. She gained a lot of confidence here.”
“Thank you for your passion and making your purpose to help our children be all that they can be in their lifetime! The support is amazing.”
“My child came away from camp so happy and excited to come back – she doesn’t want to go home yet!
“THANK YOU for giving us this opportunity – we are excited to learn that our child is making sounds in a group!”
“This experience has been really eye opening and we learned so much.”