Answers from the SMart Center
Frequently AskedQuestions
Answers about Selective Mutism Evaluations, S-CAT® treatment, CommuniCamp®, school support, and getting started with the SMart Center.
New here? Start with the Selective Mutism Evaluation (SME)Financial assistance for qualifying familiesIn-person or via telehealth
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68 answers, 13 topics
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Evaluation (SME)
Selective Mutism Evaluation (SME)
A Selective Mutism Evaluation (SME) provides a comprehensive, individualized understanding of an individual’s social communication profile. The evaluation explores how, when, and why communication may be difficult across different settings, including school, home, and the community.
Parents gain insight into whether their child meets criteria for Selective Mutism and how it presents across settings, the child’s current stage on the Social Communication Bridge®, and contributing factors that may be affecting communication.
The evaluation may also identify co-existing concerns such as speech and language differences, sensory or auditory processing difficulties, attention or executive functioning concerns, and signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The SME looks beyond whether a child speaks and considers contributing factors that may help explain their communication difficulties. These may include anxiety, temperament or personality style, sensory sensitivities or processing difficulties, neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD or Autism, environmental factors, and conditioned behaviors.
Selective Mutism can look different from one child to another. An SME helps the SMart Center understand a child’s individual needs, current communication stage, strengths, challenges, and contributing factors so recommendations can be tailored rather than based on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Recommendations may include home-based strategies to increase comfort and engagement, school accommodations and teacher guidance, real-world communication-building activities, and recommendations for treatment or additional assessment when appropriate.
A Selective Mutism Evaluation or Selective Mutism Interview is required for new SMart Center families enrolling in CommuniCamp. The SME is also a prerequisite for individual treatment, group treatment, and select assessment/testing services.
A brief SM reassessment may be required for established families who have not been in active treatment for more than 3 months. If it has been more than 3 years since you last worked with us and you are returning to re-establish care, a new Selective Mutism Evaluation (SME) or Selective Mutism Interview (SMI) is required.
Treatment & S-CAT®
Treatment Approach & S-CAT®
The SMart Center uses Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), an evidence-based, individualized approach developed by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum.
S-CAT® is a structured yet flexible, whole-person approach that incorporates strategies such as cognitive behavioral techniques, exposure-based strategies, behavioral techniques, and social communication supports. Treatment is individualized based on the child, teen, or adult’s needs, communication stage, anxiety, environment, and contributing factors.
The goal is not simply to “get a child to talk.” Treatment focuses on building comfort, confidence, social connection, coping skills, and communication across settings.
The SMart Center does not use a one-size-fits-all approach. Treatment is individualized based on the person’s unique presentation, communication stage, anxiety, strengths, needs, and the environments in which communication is difficult.
The approach looks beyond mutism itself to understand the factors contributing to and maintaining the individual’s social communication challenges and then develops strategies to address those factors.
Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®) is the evidence-based treatment approach developed by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and implemented at the SMart Center.
S-CAT® uses a whole-person, individualized approach that addresses anxiety, social comfort, communication, confidence, coping skills, and functioning across home, school, community, and other real-world settings.
No. The SMart Center does not believe treatment should center on forcing or pressuring a child to speak.
Instead, treatment focuses on reducing anxiety, increasing social comfort and confidence, developing coping skills, and supporting communication progression. As comfort and confidence increase, communication can progress from nonverbal to verbal communication when appropriate.
The Social Communication Bridge® is a visual representation of the different stages of social communication that an individual may experience.
A child may communicate differently depending on the setting, people present, and expectations placed on them. The Social Communication Bridge® helps the treatment team identify where the individual is starting and develop strategies to support progression toward greater social comfort and communication.
The SMart Center describes communication as progressing through nonverbal, transitional, and verbal stages. An individual may be at a different stage depending on the setting or social situation.
Treatment is designed around the individual’s current level of social communication rather than assuming that the same strategy will work everywhere.
Mutism is only one part of a person’s social communication experience. A child may be speaking in one environment while struggling to communicate, participate, or engage in another.
Understanding the child’s overall social communication, comfort, anxiety, behavior, and functioning helps the treatment team develop strategies that can be used in school, at home, and in real-world settings.
The SMart Center looks at the factors that may have contributed to the development and maintenance of Selective Mutism.
Treatment considers questions such as:
- Why did the Selective Mutism develop?
- Why does it continue or persist despite previous treatment or increased awareness?
- What can be done at home, at school, and in real-world settings to help the individual build coping skills and progress socially and communicatively?
These questions help guide an individualized treatment plan.
No. The SMart Center recognizes that office-based treatment alone is not enough to address communication challenges that occur in school, at home, or in the community.
The office may be used to prepare and practice strategies, while those strategies are then implemented in the environments where the individual experiences difficulty.
School involvement is an important component of treatment when appropriate. The treatment team may provide school personnel with education, accommodations, interventions, and strategies designed to support the child’s social communication and comfort within the school environment.
Yes. Caregiver education and participation are important components of the SMart Center’s approach.
Parents and caregivers are supported in understanding Selective Mutism, reducing unintentional reinforcement of avoidance, and learning how to support their child as a coach rather than taking over social interactions for them.
Yes. Treatment incorporates strategies designed to reduce anxiety, build social comfort and confidence, and develop coping skills that support communication and participation across settings.
Treatment goals are individualized based on the child’s current communication stage, needs, strengths, preferences, and the environments in which challenges occur.
The SMart Center may use structured goals, games, visual tools, strategy charts, and environmental changes to help the individual progress toward greater social comfort and communication.
CommuniCamp® · Who it’s for
CommuniCamp® — Who Is It For?
CommuniCamp® is an intensive group treatment and parent training/support program for children and teens with Selective Mutism, social anxiety, extreme shyness, or related social communication challenges.
CommuniCamp® serves school-age children ages 3–17+, with exceptions for ages 18 and 19 with clinician approval.
No. An official Selective Mutism diagnosis is not required to participate in CommuniCamp®. The program may also be appropriate for children and teens experiencing social anxiety, extreme shyness, or related social communication challenges.
A Selective Mutism Evaluation (SME) or Selective Mutism Interview (SMI) is required as a prerequisite to beginning treatment at the SMart Center.
No. Children and teens do not need to speak to participate, and there is no restriction based on their current social communication stage.
A camper’s communication level helps determine group placement and the strategies used during camp.
A pre-camp Selective Mutism Evaluation or Selective Mutism Interview helps the SMart Center understand the camper’s individual social communication needs and determine the appropriate treatment approach and group placement, if CommuniCamp® is appropriate.
CommuniCamp® · What kids learn
CommuniCamp® — What Children and Teens Learn
Campers work on social communication skills across the Social Communication Bridge®, including progressing from nonverbal gestures toward fuller verbal engagement when appropriate.
They practice responding and initiating communication, participating with peers, and recognizing that communication includes gestures, participation, effort, and expression, not only talking.
Campers learn about how anxiety can affect communication. They practice identifying feelings, using coping strategies such as breathing and calming techniques, setting goals, and recognizing their progress.
CommuniCamp® provides structured opportunities for communication through activities such as mock classrooms, lunch groups, play activities, and community-based simulations.
Activities may include ordering in a restaurant, playing games with peers, greeting others, starting conversations, and responding to peers.
Examples include Handover/Takeover™, Sandwich Questions™, Copy Back, and I Just/I Am Statements.
No. CommuniCamp® emphasizes social communication across the Social Communication Bridge®, including nonverbal communication, participation, engagement, confidence, and progression toward verbal communication when appropriate.
Potential areas of growth include increased comfort and confidence in social and communication situations, supportive peer experiences, opportunities to practice communication across the Social Communication Bridge®, improved engagement in real-world settings, coping strategies, social connections, motivation through interest-based activities, and a greater sense of belonging.
CommuniCamp® · For parents
CommuniCamp® — Parent Education & Support
Yes. Parent education, training, and support are an important part of CommuniCamp®.
Parents learn about Selective Mutism, treatment principles, and step-by-step strategies and goals they can use to support their child’s progress after camp.
Campers receive 15+ hours of treatment, and parents receive 15+ hours of psychoeducation and support, delivered simultaneously for 30+ total hours during each CommuniCamp program.
Yes. CommuniCamp® provides the opportunity for parents to connect with other families who understand the experience of Selective Mutism and social communication challenges.
CommuniCamp® · Cost & insurance
CommuniCamp® — Cost, Enrollment & Insurance
Our 3+ day in-person CommuniCamp® program costs $2,495. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure enrollment, with the remaining balance due 30 days before the program.
The program includes treatment, parent education/support, daily report cards, post-camp goals, additional resources, and a 45-minute support web consultation following camp.
Yes. Sliding-scale fees may be available for qualifying families.
Families should review the current Financial Assistance Program for eligibility and application information.
Established SMart Center patients may sign up for CommuniCamp® if their clinician determines that they are eligible.
If it has been more than 3 months since the child was last seen, a follow-up appointment may be needed to assess the child’s current social communication needs.
SMart Center services are considered out-of-network with insurance providers. Families may receive receipts that can be submitted to their insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Families should contact their insurance provider directly to determine whether they have out-of-network benefits and what requirements, deductibles, or limitations may apply. View our insurance CPT codes.
Please refer to the SMart Center billing and cancellation policy for the most current information.
CommuniCamp® · Logistics
CommuniCamp® — Logistics
Pizza is provided on orientation night, and snacks and beverages are available for both campers and parents each day.
Families are responsible for providing a packed, nut-free lunch for their child. Parents have a scheduled lunch break and may leave campus to purchase lunch for themselves and/or their camper. A pre-order lunch option is also available for purchase.
Please inform the SMart Center of any allergies or special medical needs prior to the program.
CommuniCamp® locations vary by session. Families should refer to their welcome materials for the specific location of their child’s camp.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the primary airport recommended for families traveling by air. Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNA) and Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) are additional nearby options.
Ride-share services or a rental car may be used for local transportation.
Yes. The SMart Center can provide local lodging recommendations, including lower-cost options, for families traveling to CommuniCamp®.
Yes. Parents and children participate in separate programs that run simultaneously in the same building. Parents may meet with or speak to their child during the day when needed.
Parent education and support sessions are offered throughout the day, along with a scheduled lunch break. If a child requires assistance with toileting, eating, medical needs, or any other situation where parent involvement is appropriate, breaks or visits can be arranged to support the family.
Counselors can lead children to the restroom for scheduled bathroom breaks but cannot physically assist a child at the toilet. If physical assistance is needed, the parent or guardian will be contacted.
No. Childcare is not provided for siblings.
Siblings are welcome to attend parent sessions; however, parents are responsible for supervising and engaging them throughout the day. If space permits, an additional family member may attend at no extra camp fee to assist with sibling care. Parents should contact the SMart Center in advance to discuss this option.
Yes. Families interested in connecting with another family who has participated in treatment may contact the SMart Center to request a reference.
CommuniCamp® · After camp
After CommuniCamp®
A 45-minute post-camp meeting is scheduled with your family to review the progress made during camp, discuss recommendations, and help refine your next steps for treatment and support.
Follow-up is an important part of helping children and families apply new skills in everyday settings. Whether you are local, traveling from another state or country, or live outside our telehealth network, a variety of continued care services may be available to help maintain momentum. These may include parent coaching, school consultation, psychotherapy, psychological testing, telehealth services where permitted, and other individualized supports based on your family’s needs.
Yes. The CommuniCamp® program includes daily report cards, post-camp goals, and additional resources to help families continue working on strategies after camp.
Individual treatment
Individual Treatment & Follow-Up
Yes. The SMart Center has worked with families from locations throughout the United States and internationally.
Depending on location and licensure requirements, families may participate in in-person services, telehealth when available, or consultation/parent coaching options.
No. Follow-up options vary based on location and provider licensure.
Local families may attend appointments in person, while some families may participate through telehealth or other consultation options when permitted.
The frequency of treatment varies based on the individual’s needs, treatment plan, progress, and circumstances.
Treatment length varies significantly from person to person.
Treatment journeys vary from person to person. The recommended course of care may depend on factors such as provider licensure, the family’s location, financial considerations, and access to services. A typical treatment journey begins with a Selective Mutism Evaluation (SME), followed by a combination of individualized and/or group treatment, continued psychotherapy, and consultation with schools, other clinicians, and parents or caregivers as needed.
Choosing a service
Choosing the Right Service
The SMart Center offers a variety of services, and the most appropriate option depends on the individual’s needs, current treatment status, location, and goals.
Families can speak with a SMart Center member of the SMart Center team to discuss their concerns and determine which service or evaluation may be the most appropriate starting point.
To begin the onboarding process, book a call with a member of our team. We will answer your questions, help identify the most appropriate next step, and guide you through scheduling.
Yes. The SMart Center can connect families with parents who have experience with treatment at the Center.
Medication
Medication
Medication may be considered as an adjunct to behavioral and therapeutic treatment for some individuals when anxiety significantly interferes with treatment progress.
Medication decisions are individualized and should be made in consultation with an appropriately qualified medical professional.
No. Medication is not appropriate or necessary for every child.
Treatment recommendations are individualized based on the child’s anxiety, presentation, co-existing concerns, treatment history, and response to therapeutic interventions.
When appropriate, medication may be used as an adjunct to help reduce anxiety enough for an individual to participate more effectively in therapy and practice coping and communication skills.
School & real world
School & Real-World Support
Yes. School support is an important component of the SMart Center’s approach.
The Center provides school consultation, education, training, accommodations, interventions, and other supports designed to help school teams understand and appropriately support students with Selective Mutism and social communication anxiety.
The SMart Center can provide recommendations and school-based guidance related to a child’s social communication and anxiety needs.
Specific recommendations depend on the child’s evaluation and individual presentation.
Children may communicate very differently depending on the setting. Strategies that work at home may not automatically transfer to school.
Collaborating with school personnel helps create consistency and supports the child’s ability to use developing coping and communication skills in the environment where difficulties may occur.
Yes. The SMart Center’s approach recognizes that social communication challenges can occur across many environments, including home, school, peer interactions, community settings, and other social situations.
Treatment strategies are designed to help individuals build skills that can transfer into real-world settings.
About the SMart Center
General SMart Center Questions
The SMart Center specializes in Selective Mutism, social communication anxiety, social anxiety/shyness, and related challenges.
The SMart Center also offers a range of assessment, treatment, consultation, and school-based services for related concerns.
The SMart Center serves children, teens, and young adults with Selective Mutism, social communication anxiety, social anxiety or shyness, and related concerns. Beyond our specialization in Selective Mutism, we provide support for a range of mental health needs and offer comprehensive diagnostic testing via our Counseling & Assessments department.
The SMart Center specializes in Selective Mutism and implements Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), developed by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum.
The Center’s approach emphasizes individualized treatment, understanding the factors contributing to and maintaining social communication challenges, and supporting communication across settings.
The SMart Center is located at:
261 Old York Road, Suite 900 (9th floor)
Jenkintown, PA 19046
Families can contact the SMart Center at 215-887-5748 or support@smartcenter.us
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