Meet Carlie

When Carlie was starting school, her parents and teachers realized she was completely mute in the school setting. Carlie even began to shut down around family members. After a recommendation from a therapist, Carlie’s family discovered the SMart Center and joined us for a CommuniCamp™. From there, she continued doing follow-up consultations with Dr. E. Now, Carlie is fully verbal in school and has been able to participate in class presentations and even had a speaking role in her recent talent show!

Read more of Carlie’s SM journey below!

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How old was your child when you first noticed he/she was mute in select settings?

5 years old.

Please briefly summarize where/when your child was mute/not mute. 

Carlie was completely mute at school all through grades K-2. She had stopped talking to many family members during this time, as well.

Was your child in treatment for Selective Mutism, Social Anxiety, or related disorders before finding the SMart Center?

No.

What brought you to seek treatment at the SMart Center? What makes S-CAT® treatment different from other methods you may have tried before finding the SMart Center, if any?

We were recommended to Dr. E via a behavioral therapist whom we met with once. We did CommuniCamp prior to becoming patients of Dr. E’s.

What SMart Center services did you use?

  • CommuniCamp™ Intensive Group Treatment & Parent Training Program
  • Treatment Professional Consultation
  • Follow Ups
  • Psychotherapy
  • Medication Consultation
  • Books

How often do/did you consult with the SMart Center?

Every 4-6 weeks.

What changes have you noticed? 

Carlie is doing amazingly in all areas now. She excels academically and is able to communicate with all school personnel, including doing presentations in front of her class. She even had a speaking part in front of the whole school in the talent show last year!

What S-CAT® strategies helped the most?

Carlie works for rewards – I think finding what was motivating for her was key to unlocking her communication skills!

Do you have any “key” advice for parents going through it now?

Persistence, patience, consistency, communication with all school personnel to equip them with the tools they need to help your child succeed; I found that everyone really wants to be helpful but they need specific guidance to really make the difference!

If your child/teen is willing to share a brief sentence or two about he/she is feeling now, please enter it below.

Carlie says, “Dr. E helped me cross the bridge so I could talk to friends, teachers, and family. I am able to use my words to communicate with others now!”