Unspoken Words: A Selective Mutism Podcast by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

This episode is a Live Chat with Parents, hosted by Dr. E and moderated by LisaMarie. This is a special recording focused on children ages nine to 12 with selective mutism. Three parents, Daphne, Edwin, and Julie, engage in conversation, sharing their experiences and asking Dr. E questions related to their children's specific circumstances. -- Questions:  (3:40) HOW CAN I BE THE BEST ADVOCATE FOR MY DAUGHTER IN SCHOOL? WE ATTEND A PRIVATE SCHOOL.  (9:54) PUBLIC SCHOOL VS PRIVATE SCHOOL. WHICH IS MORE EFFECTIVE FOR A CHILD WITH SM?  (15:25) HANDLING THE MISCONCEPTION THAT KIDS WITH SM ARE DEFIANT OR NON-COMPLIANT  (26:19) HOW TO ENCOURAGE A YOUNG TEEN TO BE MORE OF AN ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES  (35:36) IF WE LIFT MY CHILD'S SM, IS THERE A CHANCE THAT IT'LL COME BACK?  (39:58) WAYS TO BUILD COMFORT IN SCHOOL AND SETTING IMPACTFUL IEP GOALS  (44:39) HOW TO REGAIN THE MOMENTUM AFTER A DIGRESSION  (49:00) WAYS TO MAINTAIN OLD FREINDSHIPS AS YOUR CHILD'S INTEREST GROW AND EVOLVE  (51:45) WOULD A MONTESSORI SCHOOL BE BENEFICIAL FOR MY CHILD? -  Ask Dr. E a question of your own!  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words here.  -  This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting  For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ 

In the latest installment of our Ask Dr E podcast series, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum answers five wide-ranging listeners questions relating to Selective Mutism.  Questions:  (1:45) WHAT TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO BEGIN TREATING INDIVIDUALS WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM?  (7:17) MY SEVEN YEAR OLD SON DOESN’T SPEAK IN SCHOOL. ANY SUGGESSTIONS?  (1:18) HOW DO I GET MY CHILD PAST THE VERBAL INTERMEDIARY STAGE?   (9:17) WHEN SHOULD WE USE AAC DEVICES OR APPS IN TREATMENT?  (28:01) HOW DO WE GET OUR CHILD TO STOP WEARING THEIR MASK AT SCHOOL?  -  Ask Dr. E a question of your own!  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words here.  -  This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting  For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ 

Audrey Whisman was diagnosed with Selective Mutism when she was in 5th Grade. After Audrey’s teachers began to share her challenges with her parents, they soon found their way to the SMart Center. Today, over 10 years after her diagnosis, Audrey is absolutely thriving. In this episode, Dr. E sits down with Audrey to discuss how she overcame Selective Mutism. Timestamps (1:37):  (2:58) AUDREY'S STORY  (5:51) TREATMENT STRATEGIES THAT WORKED (8:10) LEAVING SYMPTOMS BEHIND (12:31) ADVICE TO INDIVIDUALS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS  (22:29) FIGHTING OFF ANXIETY AND NOT LOOKING BACK -  ⁠Ask Dr. E⁠ any questions you may have from the episode.  ⁠Learn more⁠ about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our ⁠SMart Center success stories⁠!  ⁠Get started⁠ at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Relevant resources:  Audrey's Shining Star Feature - This podcast was made possible thanks to ⁠New Edition Consulting.⁠  For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠⁠⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠⁠

In this week’s episode, Dr. E answers a handful of holiday-themed mailbag questions from our community. We chat about how to handle family relatives at large family gatherings, tips to give to your child’s teacher ahead of upcoming holiday parties, realistic goals to set for your teen while doing your holiday shopping, and more.   - Timestamps:  [04:37] HOW DO I HANDLE FAMILY RELATIVES WHO DON'T KNOW MY CHILD HAS SM?  (14:05) TIPS TO SHARE WITH TEACHERS AHEAD OF HOLIDAY EVENTS  (24:43) SHOULD I ENCOURAGE MY CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE?  (33:23) HOW SHOULD I BRING MY CHILD OR TEEN AROUND BUSY SHOPPING ENVIRONMENTS?  (42:21) COMMON STRATEGIES TO USE OVER THE HOLIDAYS  -  Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words ⁠here⁠.  Relevant resources:  Handout – Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s Holiday Preparations and Practicalities  Podcast – EP18: Holiday Prep  Blog – Why an individual develops Selective Mutism and why it persists  This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting.  For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠⁠

[NOTE: this episode originally aired November 2022]  The holiday season is here! While it’s a fun and joyous time, it can also be a stressful and overwhelming time for children and teens with Selective Mutism. Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum sits down with co-host Alex Collins to answer some listener questions on how to best prepare yourself, child or teen heading into the holidays.   Timestamps:  [02:17] What can parents do to prepare their child/teen for the holiday season?  [05:15] Ways to communicate with relatives  [20:11] How to approach a holiday party at school  [30:15] School performances and shows  [33:17] Communications strategies   [35:55] Different types of travelers  -  Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words ⁠here⁠.  Relevant resources:  Handout – Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s Holiday Preparations and Practicalities Handout  Brochure – What is Selective Mutism  This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting.  For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠⁠ 

In the third installment of our Ask Dr E podcast series, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum answers four wide-ranging questions from our listeners.  Questions:  (1:32) Should we get our son tested?  (6:55) Why is my child leaving their test blank?  (13:59) Should we start medication?   (20:51) Tips for traveling with a teen with Selective Mutism  -  Ask Dr. E a question of your own!  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words here.  This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting  For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ 

This episode features a live discussion with Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum and four teenagers at a recent CommuniCamp. The four teens share their individual experiences with Selective Mutism, answering questions, providing advice and recommendations, and serving as a beacon of hope and support to anyone else going through their own journey with Selective Mutism. -  Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words here.  Recommended Listening:   Ep10: Live Chat w Parents of Teens  Dr. E Talks Teens on the Outloud Podcast  Recommended Reading:  Unspoken Words: A Child’s View of Selective Mutism (download eBook) Understanding Katie: Understanding a child with Selective Mutism (download eBook) 9 Reasons for a Teen to attend CommuniCamp  This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting  For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org 

Dr. E sits down with SMart Center Lead Clinician Jennifer Brittingham to discuss ways to navigate the testing and assessment process, what to do when your child has difficulty engaging with peers, how to build comfort with teachers, and more.   Topics:  (1:54) How to navigate the testing process  (17:51) What if my child has difficulty engaging with peers?  (30:01) How to build comfort with teachers    (39:18) Strategies for children to become more responsive in the classroom   (42:54) Does your child have difficulty starting and completing tasks?  (50:28) How to accommodate picky eating   (57:46) How to navigate changes and transitions  (1:01:35) Final thoughts/recommendations heading into the school year  -  Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words here.  Recommended Listening:   Ep5: Back to School   Ep9: Importance of School-based accommodations and interventions  EP15: Differences between 504 and IEP plans, getting the school on board with treatment, building social skills & more  Webinar: What is Selective Mutism?  Recommended Reading:   Handout: Social Engagement is the KEY and FUEL to Communcation  Summer Vacation & Back-to-School Guide (download eBook)  Easing School Jitters for the Selectively Mute Child (download eBook)  This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting  For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org 

Dr. E is joined once again by SMart Center Lead Clinician Jennifer Brittingham to discuss the differences between 504 and IEP plans, ways to get your child’s school staff on board with treatment, how to make progress without a formal 504 or IEP plan, and more. This episode is the perfect primer for the new school year ahead.   Topics:  (2:46) The difference between IEPs and 504s  (11:03) You can make progress without a formal 504 or IEP  (17:29) 504 vs IEP: When’s a good time for each.     (31:26) Ways to get the school on board with treatment   (35:49) School isn't all about academics. It's about building social skills, too.  -  Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.  Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum  Explore our SMart Center success stories!  Get started at the SMart Center  Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words here.  Additional Back to School Resources: PODCAST EPISODE: Ep5: Back to School PODCAST EPISODE: Ep9: Importance of School-based accommodations and interventions BOOK: Summer Vacation & Back-to-School Guide (download eBook) BOOK:Easing School Jitters for the Selectively Mute Child (download eBook) This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting  For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

[NOTE: this episode originally aired September 2022] Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum welcomes Jennifer Brittingham LPC, a SMart Center lead clinician and school consultant to the podcast to discuss all things back to school! From preparing your child/teen and their teachers, to the comfort-building strategies that help with progression of communication, to how to educate the school, to determining IEP & 504 plans, this episode is jam-packed! (2:50) - How to prepare your child for school (12:51) - What if my child has anxiety or a panic attack during school? (17:01) - What if the teacher calls on me? (21:30) - How do you recommend we build comfort and help with progression of communication? (35:09) - How do you recommend educating the school? (43:26) - How do you determine what type of plan you recommend (i.e., 504, IEP)? (49:40) - Bathroom and eating issues (1:01:48) - Taking the Bus ⁠Ask Dr. E⁠ any questions you may have from the episode. ⁠Learn more⁠ about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum Explore our ⁠SMart Center success stories⁠! ⁠Get started⁠ at the SMart Center Relevant resources: ⁠About My Child⁠ | ⁠The Selective Mutism Summer Vacation and Back to School Guide⁠ | ⁠Social Communication Bridge®⁠ | ⁠Preparing for the Upcoming School Year⁠ - Listen to other episodes of Unspoken Words ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. This podcast was made possible thanks to ⁠⁠New Edition Consulting⁠⁠ For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org