Selective Mutism Services*

(View our calendar of virtual support, treatment groups, webinars and special events)

*Also appropriate for Social Anxiety, Extreme Shyness, & Related Challenges (in-person and virtual options available)

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum developed the world-renowned, evidence-based program, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®) that is utilized exclusively at the SMart Center to treat Selective Mutism and related challenges. S-CAT® is based on the concept that Selective Mutism is a social communication anxiety disorder that is more than just not speaking. S-CAT® enables the individual to develop social engagement skills and to progress communicatively in a step-by-step manner at home, in school, and in real world social settings. Treatment is tailored and based on the individual’s unique needs. A complete understanding of the individual is necessary to develop an appropriate treatment plan, school based accommodations, and/or interventions for quick and consistent progression into social communication comfort and confidence. Therefore, we provide a variety of services designed to fit the many unique needs of families, schools, and treatment professionals across the globe.

S-CAT® Individualized Intensive Treatment Program

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Available in a one- or multi-day format, this is an evidenced-based comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and training program designed for children, teens, and adults who have social communication challenges such as Selective Mutism, social anxiety, extreme shyness, and social communication (pragmatic) disorder. More than 6,000 individuals worldwide have been successfully treated with this program.

Telehealth & Virtual Services for Individuals & Groups

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If you live far from the SMart Center and if you are confined to your home due to COVID-19, please consider our virtual treatment, training and coaching options! For over a decade, we have successfully utilized web-conferencing to consult with out-of-state and international families and to train/coach teachers and professionals so everyone can overcome SM!

CommuniCamp™ Intensive Group Treatment & Parent Training Program

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CommuniCamp™ is designed to help children, tweens, and teens ages 3-17 (and their families!) with Selective Mutism, social anxiety, and extreme shyness, CommuniCamp™ is the only program in the world to utilize Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s globally successful S-CAT® approach. One parent recently shared, “I am grateful beyond words for CommuniCamp™ and now being a part of this family, I feel hopeful and inspired by this experience with everyone involved in this process!”

School-Based Services

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General Staff Training & Professional Development

Student-Specific Consultations

504/IEP Plan Development & Review

Student Observation & Strategies for School

General Education & Training

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Webinar Workshops

Conferences

Professional Development

Case Management for Treating Professionals

Books & DVDs

Financial Assistance

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The “Mr. B Scholarship Award” is possible thanks to donations made to the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI). This program enables the SMart Center to offer qualifying families the opportunity to receive S-CAT® service programs, like CommuniCamp™, a sliding fee scale with lower fees.

Counseling & Assessments Services

We have taken our SMart Center approach, treating the whole person–not just a diagnosis, and have expanded to become a comprehensive mental health agency, SMart Center Counseling & Assessments! Composed an integrated team of psychologists, physicians, therapists, and speech/language pathologists who specialize in different areas, we are able to offer comprehensive counseling and assessments to individuals of all ages.

The SMart Center Counseling & Assessments division provides evidence-based treatment (via telehealth/virtual and in-person) for a wide array of mental health challenges, including but not limited to anxiety, depressive, and developmental diagnoses such as:

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Specific Phobias
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Adjustment Disorder
  • Oppositional-Defiant Disorder
  • and more

Our center applies the same ‘whole-person approach’ to assessments and diagnoses.We interview the individual’s caregivers to learn about their developmental and academic history.  Our clinicians are trained to specifically assess and rule out diagnoses such as Selective Mutism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

For children, adolescents, and young adults with Selective Mutism, the following assessments and evaluations can be tailored to accommodate and accurately test an individual who suffers in silence.

Types of Assessments & Evaluations Offered

  • Selective Mutism*
  • Speech & Language Evaluation
  • Autism Assessment and Diagnosis (ADOS-2 & ADI-R)
  • ADHD, Behavior, Developmental, & Early Childhood Assessments
  • Psychoeducational Testing
  • Neurological Assessments
  • School Accommodations, Learning Styles, Test Anxiety, Academic Achievement, I.Q. Testing, Gifted Program Evaluations, Private School Admission
  • Dyslexia/Dysgraphia

Why Consider Assessment Services for Your Loved One?

  • Mutism*
  • Academics
  • Behavior
  • Attention and focus
  • Staying on task
  • Organization
  • Memory
  • Learning letter names and sounds
  • Communication
  • Social relationships
  • Transitions or changes
  • School anxiety/avoidance
  • Regulating mood/emotions

*Our research and 20+ years of clinical experience tells us that there are factors that contribute to the development of an individual’s Selective Mutism and/or social communication difficulties. In most cases these factors continue or minimally improve without accurate assessment and treatment. To help an individual overcome Selective Mutism and social communication difficulties, we need to fully understand him/her. We know it can be hard to accurately assess those individuals who aren’t comfortable verbalizing to just anyone. Our specialists will uncover the underlying contributing factors to your loved one’s social communication challenges so we can tackle them together. Most professionals find it challenging to test a person who “doesn’t talk” or who does not participate in testing. If these professionals are unable to test an individual, how can it be determined if the individual is suffering with additional and/or contributing challenges to a his/her mutism? We understand; that is our specialty.

To learn more, visit: www.SMartCenterCounseling.org or email us at Info@SMartCenterCounseling.org.