What Parents Learn at CommuniCamp™
CommuniCamp™ is more than a treatment program for children and teens with Selective Mutism (SM) – it’s an educational and empowering experience for parents. Through hands-on coaching, observation, and expert-led training, parents leave with knowledge, skills, and confidence to support their child at home, at school, and in the real world.
Parent education is led by world-renowned experts Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum (Dr. E), Dr. Jenna Blum, and Jen Brittingham, LPC. Together, they bring over 60 years of combined experience in treating Selective Mutism and related disorders.
🧠 Understanding Selective Mutism and the “Why”s
- Learn that SM is a social communication anxiety disorder, not shyness, stubbornness, or defiance.
- Explore the SM Triangle and your child’s unique combination of temperament, environment, and triggering factors that contribute to their SM.
- Understand the “WHYs” behind SM – such as anxiety, processing difficulties, or sensitivity – that shape your child’s behavior.
🚶The Social Communication Bridge®
- Learn to identify your child’s current stage of communication and what goals are realistic.
- Understand how to use the Social Communication Bridge® to guide your child from nonverbal to verbal communication.
🛠️ Practical Tools & Treatment Strategies
- Gain new strategies including Handover/Takeover™, Verbal Intermediaries, Choice & Sandwich Questions™, and Silent Goals.
- Learn how to build social comfort as a stepping stone to verbal communication.
🫶 Supporting Your Child Emotionally
- Discover how to talk with your child about SM and anxiety in ways that validate and empower them.
- Apply the Look, Listen, and Learn approach to meet your child where they are emotionally and communicatively.
🏫 School Collaboration & Advocacy
- Learn how to educate teachers and peers about SM in a clear, respectful, and supportive way.
- Get practical tips on how to collaborate with schools to build effective 504 Plans and IEPs.
- Understand what accommodations and interventions are most helpful and how to advocate for them.
🤝 Friendship & Social Confidence
- Learn strategies to support friendship development, even when your child is not yet speaking to peers.
- Discover how to create structured, interest-based social opportunities that help build confidence and communication.
🛒 Generalization to Real Life
- Learn how to translate camp gains into everyday settings like stores, restaurants, birthday parties, and family gatherings.
- Leave with a plan to track progress, celebrate wins, and keep communication growing.
🗣 Educating Others
- Learn how to explain SM to family, caregivers, coaches, and others in your child’s life.
- Get tools to help others interact in ways that reduce pressure and increase engagement.
At CommuniCamp™, you don’t just observe your child’s progress — you become a key part of it. You leave equipped, encouraged, and ready to walk with your child across the Social Communication Bridge® with confidence!
Why You Need This Education NOW
Your child wants to communicate. They just need the right support, and you are their biggest advocate. By attending CommuniCamp’s Parent Education Sessions, you’ll:
- Gain the confidence and knowledge to help your child beyond camp
- Walk away with concrete strategies to implement immediately
- Be empowered to create the right environment for progress—at home, in school, and beyond
We don’t just teach you what to do—we show you how to do it and support you every step of the way.
