Meet Kaylee
When Kaylee was young, her parents noticed that in new settings and when meeting new people she would shut down and even hide. This was completely different from how Kaylee was at home, which was relaxed and talkative. After beginning treatment with a psychologist, her parents discovered the SMart Center. Kaylee began working with us through an Individualized Intensive and then attended CommuniCamp™. Now, she is confident and comfortably communicating in the home, school, and real world!
Read more of Veronica’s SM journey below!
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How old was your child when you first noticed he/she was mute in select settings?
4 to 5 years old.
Please briefly summarize where/when your child was mute/not mute.
Kaylee would be mute in new surroundings such as stores and when meeting new people (she would hide from them). She would be relaxed and vocal at home when speaking to Mom and Dad.
Was your child in treatment for Selective Mutism, Social Anxiety, or related disorders before finding the SMart Center? If yes, where?
Yes, in a psychologist’s office.
What brought you to seek treatment at the SMart Center? What makes S-CAT® treatment different from other methods you may have tried before finding the SMart Center, if any?
We had noticed that we had hit a lull in her progress and that there were no real applications to the real world. She would be verbal with our psychologist but it would not extend past her office. The Smart Center is able to give us techniques to deal with the real world and how to help Kaylee with her social communication disorder.
What SMart Center services did you use?
- S-CAT® Individualized Intensive Treatment Program (One- or Two-Day)
- CommuniCamp™ Intensive Group Treatment & Parent Training Program
- Follow-Ups
- Virtual groups
- Assessments
How often do/did you consult with the SMart Center?
Once per month.
What changes have you noticed? Please describe your child’s overall progress, including functioning in school, at home, with friends and teachers, and any changes you have seen since starting treatment.
She is much more confident in school, at home , and with friends. She can communicate with all her teachers, her grand parents and her friends. This month, we are finding that she is louder when she orders at restaurants , her regular bakery and at her extra cirriculars.
What S-CAT® strategies helped the most?
She does very well with reading of scripts. I think also the reward system works very well for her.
Do you have any “key” advice for parents going through it now?
Listen the team and expose your child to activities and places. Practice all the S-cat strategies and be prepared before going anywhere.
If your child/teen is willing to share a brief sentence or two about he/she is feeling now, please enter it below.
Kaylee says that she is still a little bit scared of talking with other people. Kaylee feels like she has improved a lot.
