“I have learned how to better address the needs and goals of my student with SM, and share the information with my colleagues.” – Marlene

“Thought this training was excellent! I have been struggling to meet the needs of a student I work with and have come away with great ideas to try with him.” – Ebony

“Thank you for providing such a thoughtful, well-organized program.” – Michelle

“Thank you! I learned a great deal. I’m feeling so much better about the direction to take and where to go to receive information and get support.” – Kathleen

Join Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, world-renowned Selective Mutism expert who pioneered the evidence-based Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), and fellow presenters Jenna Blum, PsyD and Jennifer Brittingham, LPC, for a self-paced virtual conference experience exploring Selective Mutism assessments and interventions in the school setting. 

5.5 CEU/CE Credits Available

CONTACT events@smartcenter.us with questions or purchase orders.
Peruse our school-based services for student-specific/general trainings!

Self-paced course registration will be available soon!

ALERT ME

The conference will focus on:

  • Assessing the mute child/teen to develop an IEP/504 plan
  • How to assess learning and achievement
  • Comorbid disorders that are common with SM & their effect on the development of school interventions and IEP/504 planning
  • When to consider special education & how to classify it
  • Development of IEP/504 plans using evidence-based strategies
  • Review of case studies and videos to demonstrate key concepts to encourage a child/teen to be more verbal in school
  • Audience questions to our expert panelists

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for School Psychologists, Psychologists, Physicians, Speech and Language Pathologists, Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Educators, Graduate Students, and Families

Individuals with Selective Mutism (SM) manifest social communication deficits based on the setting and expectations from others within a setting. Parents, therapists, and school staff are often perplexed as to how to help the mute child. Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, an expert in treating children and adolescents with SM and developer of the CBT-based Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), conceptualizes SM as a social communication anxiety disorder where “not speaking” merely skims the surface of the difficulties these individuals face. Dr. Shipon-Blum has found that individuals with SM can make significant progress and transition to verbal communication when provided with comprehensive treatment that focuses on the whole person and improving their social communication and engagement skills. 

 

The school environment is most often the setting where children present as mute. Progress in the therapy room and at home will not automatically generalize to the school setting without the implementation of specific treatment goals and adult facilitation from educational staff. SM treatment in the school requires a team approach involving the clinician, parents, and educational staff. Through collaboration and consistent implementation of specific treatment strategies and goals, students with SM can transition to verbal communication in the school setting. 

 

This conference will review the importance of the initial evaluation and assessment process that are critical in developing an effective treatment plan for an individual with Selective Mutism. Next, the impact of SM on a child’s academic performance and ability to make progress and the need for accommodations and services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan will be discussed. A review of common comorbid disorders (e.g., speech and language disorder, sensory processing disorder, developmental delays, etc.) seen in children with SM and sample accommodations and interventions to address these challenges in the school setting will also be discussed. Finally, the presentation will identify and describe effective treatment strategies and interventions in treating SM in the school setting. 

 

The conference will be led by world-renowned Selective Mutism expert, Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum. Dr. Shipon-Blum’s has helped thousands of children, teens, and young adults overcome selective mutism, social anxiety, extreme shyness, and related challenges. In addition to Dr. Shipon-Blum, the conference will feature other Selective Mutism experts, including Jenna Blum, PsyD and Jennifer Brittingham, LPC. 

Golden Rules and Key Philosophies for Assessing and Treating the Child/Teen With Selective Mutism 
Speaker: Elisa Shipon-Blum, DO 
Providing Psychological Assessments to Children/Teens With Selective Mutism   
Speaker: Jenna Blum, PsyD 
Addressing Comorbid Conditions in the School Setting through 504/IEP Plans 
Speakers: Jenna Blum, PsyD 
Tips and Strategies to Help Children From Pre-School to High School Speak in the School Setting   
Speaker: Jennifer Brittingham, LPC 
Case Studies/Review 
Speakers: Elisa Shipon-Blum, DO; Jenna Blum, PsyD; Jennifer Brittingham, LPC, 

Can a group, school, or organization attend under one registration?
If you are attending for the purpose of receiving CE/CEU’s, then each individual who wants to obtain those credits must register separately. Also, the link to join will be unique to each registrant so links cannot be shared. Email events@smartcenter.us for group rates and purchase orders.

Will the conference be recorded? 
Yes, a self-paced course will be available for a limited time after the live recording ends.

What platform will you be using?
Zoom

This educational activity is 5.5 credit hours. We are approved providers of APA, NASP, ASHA, ACT 48, and New York Boards for Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Psychoanalysts, Psychologists, and Marriage & Family Therapists.

We are offering scholarships for students and professionals. View scholarship requirements HERE.

We are also offering financial assistance to attendees who are in need. View application HERE.

PRESENTERS

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Bio
Jennifer Brittingham, LPC
Bio
Jenna Blum, PsyD
Bio