Once an application is accepted, our licensed clinicians perform a detailed intake evaluation 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 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 on year, an intake interview is not necessary

Yes! 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-Intake-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 no.  Children 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 noncommunicative, 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.

Application: $75.00 (non-refundable) fee for our clinicians to review and assess the application.
The application fee is waived for established patients as they’ve already been reviewed and assessed with the SMart Center.

Intake Interview: $300.00 ($100 non-refundable deposit upon scheduling and $200 due at intake) fee for our licensed clinicians to determine the child’s unique social communication needs and ideal group placement. In addition, the intake allows our clinicians to plan for the proper treatment strategies to utilize during CommuniCamp™.
The intake interview and fee is waived for SMart Center families who’ve been seen within one year. For SMart Center families seen over one year ago, upon acceptance of application, the intake interview may or may not be necessary pending clinician determination.  

CommuniCamp™ Program: $1,800.00 ($300.00 non-refundable deposit to secure enrollment and $1,500.00 due 30 days before camp) for three days of group treatment. Children 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. Children will be paired/grouped with children 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, children will celebrate their successful completion of CommuniCamp by having a ‘make your own sundae’ ice cream party. They will feel proud as they receive their ‘Crossing the Bridge’ certificate from their lead clinician.    Also,  parents receive charted goals each day and information to take-home.  Parents will receive a support calls within a month after camp from their counselor to check in to determine how goals are going and to add much-needed 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 children 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!  Since parents are 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 when ‘away’ from camp.  We discuss relevant topics, parents 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.”

If you are already working with one of our professionals at the SMart Center, then you just have to register for the camp.

Both the application and the intake evaluation  are not needed.  Therefore, Fees are waived for both the application and intake because your child has already been evaluated at our center and we are aware of his/her needs!

Therefore, as an 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 approved and 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. 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:

90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Examination without Medical Services (for intakes conducted in-person only): Diagnostic intake interview with the child and his/her parents. History, review of prior records, differential diagnosis, etc.

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. We welcome families from all over the world to take part in our S-CAT® programs. There are many affordable options, including ‘low cost’ housing for accommodations near our center in Jenkintown, PA. [Places to stay near the SMart Center]

Our CommuniCamp program is specifically designed to provide families with the time to practice evidence-based S-CAT® strategies out in the real world. Families are encouraged to explore the great city of Philadelphia, as they journey across the Bridge to social communication! [Things to do in Philadelphia]

We understand that comfort precedes communication. CommuniComfort is the approach we use at the SMart Center and modeled after concepts within the S-CAT® Program to help children build social and communication comfort in a given setting or with an individual. This process begins weeks prior to the start of camp to help the child feel comfortable with their counselor. Then, prior to camp and during camp, purposeful strategies are used to help ease anxiety which will foster comfort and communication amongst campers and counselors

The popular S-CAT® Program was developed by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and is an individualized and intensive program (average visits 3-7) for children/teens who suffer from Selective Mutism, Social Anxiety and extreme shyness.  The S-CAT® Program is based on understanding SM as a Social Communication Anxiety disorder.  The S-CAT® Program has been researched and published in a peer-reviewed article of a pilot study demonstrating its effectiveness was published in 2016.

At CommuniCamp, the evidence-based S-CAT® philosophies will be used in an intensive, camp-like setting, where children will have the ability to interact in small groups with their fellow CommuniCamp participants. Working with both highly-trained, graduate-level counselors led by our licensed clinicians, participants at CommuniCamp will experience a truly unique opportunity for treatment. Over the course of just 3 days (5 hours of camp per day for a total of 15 hours of treatment), CommuniCamp will incorporate S-CAT® strategies into fun, camp-like games and therapeutic activities that will help each patient develop social confidence and move across the Social Communication Bridge® during the program.  Children will have fun and make new friends, while at the same time, work on strategies needed for success within the real world and at school.  CommuniCamp will provide children (and their parents) with the tools to utilize these strategies once they leave the program as well!

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.  Parents are welcome to be present in a designated wait area away from the activities of camp. A counselor can contact you to then assist your child.

Parents are encouraged to leave between sessions. We will be providing recommendations for local things to do; however, if a parent chooses to wait, there is a designated parent waiting area away from the campers.

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!