EP62 features a discussion between Dr E and Dr. Jenna Blum, a lead Clinical Psychologist at the SMart Center and the Director of the SMart Center’s growing general mental health department, Counseling & Assessments.

In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss how to encourage decision making, the importance of fostering self-help skills, developing your child’s problem-solving skills and more.

Dr. E and Dr. Jenna Blum discuss strategies for empowering teens and young adults to boost their independence and confidence.

The Role of Parents in Supporting Independence

Episode 62 kicks off with Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum discussing the “passenger in the car” concept, explaining how many teens and young adults with selective mutism have never learned to independently navigate social communication because parents have always directed their interactions.

Setting Personal Goals For Teens

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum continue their discussion by breaking down the three C’s essential for communication progress—comfort, confidence, and connection—and how to help teens and young adults with selective mutism set personal goals rather than parent-driven goals. 

The two Selective Mutism experts explain their approach of assessing motivation first, then breaking down large goals like “building friendships” into concrete, step-by-step action plans with written navigation tools, such as preparing for a chess club by practicing common questions and planning who will be there.

Time Management and Independence

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum reach the halfway point of this episode as they discuss using concrete tools like weekly calendars and digital reminders to teach time management skills to teens and young adults with selective mutism, helping them build independence and accountability.

Dr. E and Dr. Jenna continue by emphasizing the importance of comprehensive evaluation to identify underlying challenges like executive functioning difficulties or learning disabilities that may be impacting the teen’s confidence, connection, and comfort—the three C’s necessary for communication progress—rather than focusing solely on speech outcomes.

The Importance of Decision Making

In the fourth chapter of this podcast, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum discuss teaching decision-making skills to teens and young adults with selective mutism by using tools like pros-and-cons lists and feelings charts, rather than parents directing them with “you need to” or “you should” language. 

The experts explain how building autonomy through everyday choices—from planning exposures to packing for trips—helps develop independence and confidence, which are essential foundations for progressing in communication skills beyond just becoming verbal.

Fostering Independence and Financial Literacy

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum wrap up their conversation by emphasizing that communication skills include crucial nonverbal behaviors like making eye contact, smiling, handing items to others, and projecting confidence through body language—skills that must be developed before expecting verbal communication. 

Dr. E and Dr. Jenna also discuss the importance of self-care, financial literacy, and physical activity in building overall independence, while noting that when teens neglect basic grooming, it may signal underlying issues like depression, neurodivergence, or other developmental challenges that require professional assessment.