Once an application is accepted, our licensed clinicians perform a detailed interview that determines eligibility for CommuniCamp™, confirms diagnosis, and determines the child’s individual needs for group placement in the camp.

Typically, if a child/teen meets the diagnostic criteria for Selective Mutism or social anxiety disorder, etc., is toilet trained, understands English, can separate from a parent/caregiver, and does not have developmental delays that will affect participation, he/she will most likely be accepted.

Please note: For established SMart Center families who have been seen within six months to one year, an intake interview is not necessary

Absolutely not! The SMart Center DOES NOT require “lead-in” sessions to participate in CommuniCamp! The steps to CommuniCamp are as easy as 1-2-3: Apply-Meet-Attend! Because our treatment philosophy, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®) is grounded in the understanding of SM as a social communication anxiety disorder where child/teens are not just mute, our group treatment is accepting all child and teens at every stage of social communication (per Dr. E’s Social Communication Bridge®): barely engaging, nonverbal, somewhat communicative, whispering, etc. Our CommuniComfort process begins before you even get to camp to help your child build the comfort necessary to feel safe and secure!

Absolutely not.  Children/teens with SM have a social communication anxiety disorder where their level of communication will change from setting to setting. Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s S-CAT® approach focuses on the Stages of Social Communication.  Stages vary from non-communicative, nonverbal, transitional and verbal. AS a long as a child can interact, at least nonverbally after warm up time and are approved via our intake process, your child can participate. Your child’s level of communication will dictate group placement and strategies used.

Step 1, Application: $75.00 (non-refundable)
*The application fee is waived for established patients as they’ve already been reviewed and assessed with the SMart Center.

Step 2, Meeting: Varies dependent on meeting type and clinician, $300.00 at minimum; however, individualized treatment might be recommended at this step with fees varying in range based on treatment service and clinician. (A non-refundable scheduling deposit will be due at time of scheduling).
**The meeting is waived for SMart Center families who’ve been seen within 6 months to one year. This step may or may not be necessary pending clinician determination for established patients.  

CommuniCamp™ Program: $1,950.00 ($600.00 non-refundable deposit to secure enrollment and $1,350.00 due 30 days before camp) for three days of group treatment and three days of parent education, training, and support sessions. Children/teens will be paired with a counselor and work directly with our licensed clinicians to learn valuable skills to foster comfort, progression of communication with a few peers, and within a small group setting. Campers will be paired/grouped with peers who are similar in their social communication skills to be around those who understand.  They will feel safe, have fun, play games, do art and movement activities, make new friends while learning valuable skills to cross the Social Communication Bridge!  At the end of CommuniCamp™, campers and counselors celebrate their successful completion of CommuniCamp™ by having Cookie-Decorating party which includes implementation of the S-CAT® strategies they learned throughout the weekend. They will feel proud as they receive their ‘Crossing the Bridge’ certificate from their lead clinician. Parents receive charted goals and information to take home to be shared with the school staff, friends, and family. Parents will receive a support call within a month after camp from their counselor to check in to determine how goals are going and to add support.

*Please note that families will have the opportunity to meet up after camp at local parks, restaurants and play areas. This opportunity is wonderful for both campers and parents!  As parents shared at our most recent camp, “Seeing my child run, play and talk to her new friends was something that i will never forget!” And ‘I loved the connections I made with parents. It felt wonderful to share experiences with others who understand.”

YES! THREE FULL DAYS! (5 hours/day) Parent implementation is critical in the treatment process. We pride ourselves on the level of education and support we provide parents during CommuniCamp™. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn valuable information about Selective Mutism and understand the key philosophies to a successful treatment outcome.  Parents will be taught step-by-step goals that are recommended for success after they leave CommuniCamp™ to implement in their daily lives when they get home. We discuss relevant topics, previous SMart Center patients share their stories and everyone learns from one another. In addition, each day after camp, parents are provided locations where other families will meet and ‘bond’ with each other while children do the same.  Parents from previous camps 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.”

As an active/established SMart Center patient, your only steps for signing up for CommuniCamp are:

1. Complete the application and indicate you are an established patient at the end of the form by using the coupon code: SMartPatient when prompted.
2. Wait for your email confirmation.
3. Once CommuniCamp™ fees are paid, attend the program!

As a specialty medical practice, the SMart Center does not accept medical insurance plans. Our professional services are considered out-of-network with all insurance providers.

We are happy to provide receipts to families for submitting to their insurance companies for possible reimbursement. We suggest you contact your insurance carrier and inquire about your out of network coverage, any deductibles that must be met, whether you need a letter of medical necessity from your child’s pediatrician, or any limitations on coverage. Email CommuniCamp@SelectiveMutismCenter.org for sample receipts. It is the family’s responsibility to work with their insurance provider to see if CommuniCamp is eligible for possible reimbursement based on your specific plan using the following codes:

90849 Multiple-Family Group Psychotherapy: Group therapy for parents to be trained in behavioral techniques to implement at home and in the real world, to help maintain and generalize treatment gains. Parents are provided with feedback about their child’s behaviors and specific techniques tailored to the child.

 90853 Group Psychotherapy: Group therapy treatment per day for three consecutive days, similar to a day treatment model.

Yes. Families travel from across the globe to take part in our S-CAT® programs. There are many affordable options, including low-cost housing for accommodations near CommuniCamp™. Click here to read our recommendations for housing.

CommuniCamp has limited space available, as the program emphasizes small group treatment. Payment of your deposit reserves your child’s space in the program. As a result, the SMart Center requires the full program payment is paid at least 30 days prior to the start date of CommuniCamp™. Cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of program will receive a full refund. Cancellations with less than 30 days’ notice will not receive a refund. If you are notified that your child has been accepted into the CommuniCamp program, but have decided that you no longer wish to participate, you may call the SMart Center (215-887-5748) to cancel your registration up to 30 days before the scheduled CommuniCamp start date for a full program refund. This does not include the non-refundable $75 application fee, $100 intake deposit fee, or program deposit. No refund will be given to those that cancel within 30 days of the CommuniCamp start date. Only established patients may apply without an application fee by providing the correct coupon code.

Cancellations due to inclement weather or medical emergencies: With proof of travel challenges, e.g. flight cancellations, a credit will be applied to the following CommuniCamp™ program and/or S-CAT^® Individual Intensive services. If a medical emergency arises, we will address on a case-by-case basis and if documentation of the emergency is provided such as a doctor’s note, funds will be applied to the following CommuniCamp™ program and/or S-CAT^® Individual Intensive services. No refunds will be given in the event of inclement weather prior to or during camp, or medical emergencies.

Counselors can lead the child to the restroom (we will have scheduled bathroom breaks and communication boards present in the campers assigned room); however, counselors are not able to physically assist at the toilet.  Therefore, a counselor will contact you to then assist your child.

Parent education, training, and support sessions occur all day, every day. The entire time your child is working on building comfort, confidence, and communication—so are you! Parent receive a lunch break, and you are encouraged to stay on campus during that time. We offer an optional Parent  Networking Luncheon so you connect with families who are experiencing this journey with you!

Yes! The majority of CommuniCamp™ families offered to speak about their experience with potential campers. Please send an email to CommuniCamp@SelectiveMutismCenter.org and we’ll be happy to share names and emails of families who’ve attended our program. You can also click here for reviews and video testimonials!

We do not provide childcare for siblings at CommuniCamp; however, the program is attended by many young families so we absolutely welcome siblings into the parent sessions to sit alongside Mom and/or Dad! It is up to the parents to occupy the sibling e.g. iPad/tablet with headphones, books, coloring pages, etc.

• Older siblings are encouraged to actively listen/participate to learn how to help their sibling with SM. There are outlets available to charge phones/tablets.
• Younger siblings might become bored or fussy and could become a distraction to the other parents. In that case, we just ask that mom or dad simply walk them out into the lobby. Sometimes, if a family has a very young child, grandma or grandpa (or aunt or uncle) will attend CommuniCamp with that family to be the person who walks the fussy child into the hallway so that Mom/Dad don’t miss any of the lectures. There is no extra charge for an additional family member who is joining to help with childcare.

If you’d like to schedule a 15-minute informational call with our CommuniCamp Program Director, please email CommuniCamp@SelectiveMutismCenter.org or call 215-887-8748.

No,  your child does not need a diagnosis or referral to be able to attend CommuniCamp™. We can provide an evaluation as part of the process.