When Harper was 4 years old, her family noticed she was mute in school, in public settings, and around anyone outside of her immediate family. After two years of counseling with little progress, her family knew they needed a different approach.

After attending CommuniCamp™ and utilizing ongoing support, Harper has made incredible strides. Today, she speaks comfortably with teachers and peers, raises her hand in class, and has blossomed into a confident, social child. She even performed in her school’s talent show! Read more about how Harper overcame SM below!

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How old was your child when you first noticed he/she was mute in select settings?

4 years old.

Please briefly summarize where/when your child was mute/not mute.

Harper was mute in school except with a few selective peers and her teacher. She was also mute in public when people were around and with anyone other than her immediate family.

Was your child in treatment for Selective Mutism, Social Anxiety, or related disorders before finding the SMart Center?

Yes, Harper was in counseling for 2 years prior to finding the SMart Center.

What brought you to seek treatment at the SMart Center?

After 2 years of counseling I saw little progress and when she became mute with her counselor, I knew I had to do more.

What SMart Center services did you use?

  • CommuniCamp™ Intensive Group Treatment & Parent Training Program
  • School Consultation
  • Podcast

How often do/did you consult with the SMart Center?

After CommuniCamp™, we were on an as-needed basis.

What changes have you noticed?

Harper has become much more independent at both dance and gymnastics. I no longer need to stay within her sight at all times, which has allowed me to sit and socialize with other parents. She speaks comfortably with her teachers, raises her hand to answer questions, and is much more communicative with her peers.

At home, she is mostly the same, but she has started to engage more with visitors. While she may still appear a bit shy at times, she will respond—often nonverbally at first—but is usually able to use her voice. She has also become more relaxed and communicative with extended family. Additionally, I’m now able to step away from her at family gatherings without her becoming anxious.

I am so happy with the progress we have made since attending CommuniCamp! Harper has made so many friendships and is somewhat of a social butterfly now. She even performed on stage for the school talent show! I am incredibly proud of her bravery and overcoming her anxiety!

What S-CAT® strategies helped the most?

Understanding that comfort is the key to communication. The buddy process has been by far the most useful component to making her comfortable and able to communicate. I believe she can succeed in any social situation as long as she does it with one or more friends. Using the bridge, verbal intermediary, frontline, handover/takeover, exposures, and rewards/incentive charts, have also been essential components in the process.

Do you have any “key” advice for parents going through it now?

Start by learning to manage your own anxiety before trying to help your child. Children are very perceptive and often pick up on how we’re feeling, so modeling calm and confidence can make a big difference. You don’t have to be perfect, but being aware of your reactions and working to regulate them is an important first step.

Once you feel more grounded, gently and consistently expose your child to social situations in a supportive, low-pressure way. Focus on small, achievable steps rather than overwhelming them, and celebrate progress—no matter how small it may seem. It’s also important to be patient and avoid forcing speech. Instead, create opportunities for communication in ways that feel safe, whether that’s nonverbal at first or speaking in more comfortable environments. Encourage, but don’t pressure.

Finally, remember that progress takes time. Building confidence and reducing anxiety is a gradual process, and providing a steady, understanding, and encouraging environment can help your child feel safe enough to find their voice.

What has your overall experience with the SMart Center been since beginning treatment?

Our experience with the SMart Center has been nothing short of amazing. Our daughter struggled with SM, and it affected her ability to communicate in school and social settings. Through gradual exposure and the supportive communication strategies we learned at CommuniCamp™, she was able to build confidence over time.

We’ve watched her grow from barely speaking in certain environments to actively participating, raising her hand, and engaging with both peers and adults. While the progress didn’t happen overnight, the consistency, guidance, and encouragement we received made all the difference.

We are incredibly grateful to the SMart Center for the positive impact they’ve had on our daughter and our family.