We received A TON of questions after our two-part episode on The Social Communication Bridge®. So, we decided to record a BONUS episode and answer some of them!

In this bonus episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum answers the following questions:

(0:38) Because children with SM are not speaking, shouldn’t the emphasis be on helping them to speak, perhaps even offering incentives to speak?

(6:37) My son’s clinician felt strongly that if we allowed him to use a verbal intermediary or whisper buddy, we were enabling him...

(9:38) Since Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder, shouldn’t lowering anxiety be enough to propel them into speech?

(14:25) When we think about “the bridge” and “the Whys of SM,” it makes sense that Selective Mutism is a social communication anxiety disorder. Do you feel that if others saw it this way, more individuals would overcome their mutism?

(18:23) Can you give some examples of how you would determine an individual’s beginning stage of communication?

(22:49) My 10-year-old child is truly stuck in nonverbal with kids and teachers, even kids he’s known for years. We’ve tried everything: rewards, even a trip to Disney. We are at a loss. We’ve seen five therapists and he seems to have only gotten more stuck. Any advice?

(30:37) My child progressed across the bridge at CommuniCamp (!), but now, a few weeks later, they are no longer in stage 3. How can I get them back to being verbal like they were at camp?

(35:19) My child has begun making animal sounds in social environments but he will not speak. How can I get him to use his words?

(41:39) My teenage daughter will communicate with others through written responses. She will even initiate with her teachers and peers through writing. However, she will not speak to them. What can I do to help transition her from written communication to verbal communication?

(48:10) My child is completely nonverbal and non-communicative in any setting outside of the home. He is very expressive and loud at home. What should I do to make him able to communicate effectively in other environments?

Ask Dr. E any questions you may have from the episode.

Learn more about Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum

Explore our SMart Center success stories!

Get started at the SMart Center

Relevant resources: The Social Communication Anxiety Inventory© | Social Communication Bridge® | The Missing Link

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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 ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠