CommuniCamp™
Intensive Group Treatment and ALL DAY Parent Training & Support Program
What is CommuniCamp™?
Our 3+ Day CommuniCamp™ is an Intensive Group Treatment and ALL DAY Parent Training & Support Program to help parents, children, and teens (ages 3-17+) overcome Selective Mutism, social anxiety, and extreme shyness.
Children/teens do not need to talk to participate. All are welcome! There is no restriction based on a child/teen’s social communication stage.
We will help your child/teen build the social communication skills necessary for school, the real world, and at home implementing the SMart Center’s 35 years of experience treating Selective Mutism using Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), the evidence-based treatment approach created by world-renowned Selective Mutism expert, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum.
We carefully craft therapeutic activities, exercises, and strategies for each camper’s age and individual baseline Stage® of social communication. Through these strategies, by respecting their baseline stages of communication (Social Communication Bridge) and respecting each camper’s unique needs, our campers progress across the Bridge in a strategic way where they can see and hear themselves communicating confidently in a school setting. This then translates to their daily lives when they get home as parents, educators and others facilitate strategies to keep progress going (Value of parent education and school training).
Children/teens receive 16+ hours of treatment, Parents receive 16+ hours of psychoeducation/support throughout the weekend.
CommuniCamp is an excellent supplemental treatment to those already receiving, or plan to receive, individualized care.
Upcoming CommuniCamp™ Dates:
For Kids
(Ages 3-12)
Based on each camper’s age, baseline Stage® of social communication and through thoughtfully prepared therapeutic activities & strategies, CommuniCamp builds the social communication skills necessary for school, the real world, and home.
For Tweens/Teens
(Ages ~12-17)
Our teen program helps build self-understanding, confidence and social communication skills to address peer relationships, school participation, the real-world, the workplace, self-advocacy and much more!
For Parents
With ALL DAY parent training, education and support, learn how to facilitate proven S-CAT strategies in all settings, receive expert feedback from our lead clinical team, and gain a supportive community of people who understand!
KIDS (Ages 3-12)
CommuniCamp offers a comprehensive daily program designed to enhance social communication skills for children ages 3-12.
Each morning begins with a welcome meeting where campers review the day’s schedule and set goals with their counselors, followed by activities focusing on understanding and navigating social situations using the Social Communication Bridge® (S-CAT®) framework.
Art therapy sessions provide a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and confidence-building, while imaginative play reinforces communication strategies. We’ll implement a variety of exposure-based games to boost confidence and apply learned skills in real-world scenarios.
No moment will be spared to practice skills and build comfort including during movement breaks to promote mindfulness and relaxation and during mealtime also referred to as Lunch Bunch to encourage communication skills. Through these diverse activities, campers develop essential social skills, self-awareness, and confidence in their communication abilities!
TEENS (Ages 12-17*)
*Some exceptions can be made for 18 and 19-year-olds upon clinician approval
Sound On to hear Dr. E speak about our CommuniCamp™ for Teens program!
It can often be challenging for older children and teenagers with Selective Mutism and social anxiety to agree to participate in a group treatment program like CommuniCamp™. This is a widespread barrier to treatment, so rest assured you and your child are not alone!
CommuniCamp™ for Teens delivers the motivation for success and will address all aspects of life, including (but not limited to):
- Starting and joining conversations.
- Making friends.
- Participating in class.
- Job interview skills.
- Text/email/social media.
- Asking others for help.
- Standing up for themselves.
- Talking to strangers (like servers) without anxiety.
- Initiating conversations
- Building self-confidence.
- Understanding themselves.
CommuniCamp for teens provides a supportive environment for enhancing social communication skills through a variety of activities. Each day begins with a Meet-n-Greet session where teens set goals, discuss successes and challenges, and strategize with counselors.
Teens will engage in activities focused on understanding and navigating social situations using the Social Communication Bridge® framework, allowing them to identify their communication stage and develop strategies for progress.
Journaling sessions provide opportunities for reflection and goal-setting, while Role Plays & Exposures offer real-world scenarios for practicing newfound skills. Mind/Movement breaks encourage mindfulness and relaxation which furthers their comfort level. During mealtimes we practice communication skills in a supportive setting, replicating typical social interactions.
Throughout the program, counselors employ S-CAT® strategies to support teens in building confidence, competence, and leadership skills.
PARENTS
Parents are critical in the treatment process. A child or a teen cannot overcome Selective Mutism without the help of adults in their life.
Over the course of the program CommuniCamp™ offers 16+ hours where parents are working on those skills, getting questions answered, and learning how to best understand and support your child. Families leave with a toolbox of information to be able to implement strategies and see the children make amazing progress.
FAQ
Do you have lead in sessions?
What happens after CommuniCamp?
Follow up is key to long term success. At camp, your child (and you!) will learn many skills, but building on these skills and ongoing guidance on transferring of skills to other settings is needed.
Based on where you live, dictates the type of follow up. For those who can travel for in person appointments, the Monthly S-CAT Program or weekly Psychotherapy are follow up options.For those who want virtual or telehealth: 1. If you live in a state the SMart Center is licensed, this is considered treatment. We can conduct the Monthly S-CAT Program or weekly psychotherapy with your child/teen. 2. If you live in a state the SMart Center team is not licensed in, we can conduct parent coaching and training services since this is not direct treatment with your child/teen. 3. For international families, we require confirmation of your diagnosis which our team can then provide recommendations/strategies via our parent coaching/training program.
FOR ALL states/countries, school trainings are a professional/non-treatment service and hence can be done in all locations.Do you have references I can speak to?
What if we are already established SMart Center patients?
Do you offer Financial Assistance?
How much does CommuniCamp™ cost?
What is your Cancellation Policy?
What is your Insurance Policy?
What if we are already established SMart Center patients?
How to determine eligibility for CommuniCamp™?
- Is your child functioning at grade level or no more than 2 yrs behind socially, emotionally, and/or academically?
- Does your child speak in at least one setting but mute in another?
- My child does not have aggressive tendencies towards other children & adults.
- My child does not have disruptive tendencies towards other children & adults.
- If your child is 12 yrs + are they willing & interested in camp at least at a 5 or more out of 1-10 scale with 10 being the most motivated to join?
Are meals included?
How to get to CommuniCamp?
Can parents visit their child between Parent Training sessions?
My child can’t go to the restroom without assistance. Please advise.
Are Parent Training sessions included?
Parents from previous CommuniCamp™ programs shared the following: "I was eager for my child to meet other children like him, but I never realized I too would benefit so much from meeting other parents. What a surprising benefit of CommuniCamp™!" and "This was truly the missing link that we were searching for. Thank you so much for this incredible experience."
Do you provide childcare at CommuniCamp™?
- Older siblings are encouraged to actively listen/participate in learning how to help their sibling with SM.
- Younger siblings are welcome but may become a distraction to the other parents. In that case, we ask that a family member simply walk their children into the lobby. It's common for extended family members to attend CommuniCamp to be the go-to person to take young children into the hallway. This way, parents don't have to miss any of the lectures. There is no extra charge for an additional family member who is joining to help with childcare.
