A few weeks ago, Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum had the pleasure of joining Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner on the Psyched to Practice podcast. Psyched to Practice is a podcast designed to explore the far reaches of mental health. Dr. E and the podcast's co-hosts covered a lot of great material on Selective Mutism and we want to bring everything discussed directly to our podcast feed.

Thank you, Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner, for allowing us to bring this amazing episode to our listeners! 

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

Learn more about the Psyched to Practice Podcast

Learn more about 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 made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at [email protected]

If you follow us on social media or receive our monthly newsletter, you’re likely familiar with our ongoing Ask Dr. E segment. “Ask Dr E” is where our community can ask Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum any question they have on any topic relating to Selective Mutism.

Since rolling out this segment in 2022, we have received some amazing questions. As a result, we are giving the segment more life by giving it its own series on our podcast feed! These Q&A-type episodes will be released once a quarter, and we can’t be more excited!

In our first Ask Dr E episode, Dr. E provided insight into the following situations:

(01:15) A parent of a 3rd grader with SM whose school is focused only on getting her son to speak, instead of focusing first on interacting and communicating non-verbally.

(5:30) A 4th grade girl whose mom is watching her child lose her sense of confidence yet the school has not yet brought up the need for accommodations and/or interventions

(9:35) What to do when a private school is not receptive to the SM diagnosis

(14:15) A 3rd grade girl struggling in school and showing avoidance behaviors

(20:30) Whether or not to carry on with a child’s 504 plan when they may or may not need it.

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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.

This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum speaks with parents of teenagers with Selective Mutism and answers some of their questions. The discussion is moderated by CommuniCamp Director and Outreach Coordinator LisaMarie Vargas. Thank you to both parents who joined the show and for engaging in a thoughtful discussion with Dr. E and LisaMarie!

Topics:

(00:27) Participant introductions

(1:16) How is treatment different for teens and adults with SM compared to children?

(12:30) If a teen is struggling to make friends and they are too old for play dates, what can parents do to give them opportunities to practice treatment strategies?

(23:49) What is depression's role in the treatment of teens?

(26:16) Finding the right therapist

(29:25) How does sensory processing play a role in Selective Mutism and how does that relate to picky eating?

(36:35) There is hope/help for your teen!

(42:36) Why teens tend to "do worse" when their parents are around

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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:

This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum welcomes Jennifer Brittingham, LPC back to the podcast to discuss the general approach to providing effective school-based accommodations and interventions and why it’s important to have them. Just like past episodes when Dr. E and Jen get together, the two long-time colleagues cover A LOT of material.

Timestamps:

(1:43) The Importance of Accommodations and Training

(6:49) Approaching School-Based Accommodations

(13:10) Moving Through the Social Communication Bridge®

(17:00) IEPs and 504s

(29:30) Building comfort can also be considered progress

(36:00) Whether or not to hold a child with SM back a grade

(43:59) Are goals the same when a child is mute?

(50:00) Comfortable vs. uncomfortable mutism

(59:30) Comfort and connection

(1:07:00) How to test for accommodations

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Ask Dr. E any questions you 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:

This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting.

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

This bonus episode features a live Q&A panel that was recorded at a recent CommuniCamp. In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon Blum moderates a five-guest panel of former patients and parents of patients who share their journey overcoming Selective Mutism. The Q&A panel is one of our most popular sessions at CommuniCamp. It offers camp attendees much needed support and hope.

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Timestamps:

(1:17) Panelist Intros

(10:29) Key strategies that helped panelists beat Selective Mutism

(14:45) Anxiety associated when making progress

(22:46) How to navigate sibling relationships

(28:45) Staying motivated to continue treatment after CommuniCamp

(32:17) How to know when you need help

(34:22) The role of teachers

(46:50) Struggling with schoolwork + asking for help at school when needed

(50:05) Handling pushback from school staff regarding accommodation and treatment

(52:33) Dealing with peer pressure and bullying

(56:07) Telling school peers about battle with SM

(1:00:14) Struggling with depression

(1:03:10) Advice to children and teens with SM

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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!

CommuniCamp Resources:

This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The holiday season is here! Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum sits down with co-host Alex Collins to answer some 'Ask Dr. E' questions on how to best prepare yourself, child or teen heading into the holidays.

(0:00) Intro

(1:37) Prepare your child/teen for the holiday season

(4:35) Communicating with relatives

(19:01) Holiday parties 

(29:35) School performances / shows

(32:37) Overall communication strategies

(35:15) Different types of Travelers

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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

Previous episodes of Unspoken Words:

Relevant resources:

This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum welcomes Jennifer Brittingham, LPC, back on the podcast to discuss the prevalence of eating, sleeping, toileting, and behavioral difficulties associated with Selective Mutism – otherwise known as the ‘Quad’. Get out your pen and paper, because this 99-minute episode is jam-packed!

(0:00) - Intro

(1:19) - What is the QUAD

(4:07) - Results from the SMart Center's study on the QUAD

(9:15) - Eating issues

(30:49) - Sleeping issues

(52:40) - Toileting issues

(1:14:01) - Difficult behaviors + tips for parents

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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 previous episodes of Unspoken Words:

Relevant resources:

This podcast was made possible thanks to New Edition Consulting

For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum uses this month’s podcast episode to explain the reasons to consider the use of medication as an adjunct in the treatment of Selective Mutism. The SMart Center receives questions on this topic all the time. “Should I use medication?” “For how long should I use medication?” “What type of medication should I use?” “What’s the dosing of medication to use?” “When can I ween off?” “How do I ween?” Dr. E answers all of these questions and more in this month’s episode.

(0:00) - Intro

(4:09) - On prescribing Xanex or Valium

(5:10) - Why use medication

(7:12) - When to use medication

(10:49) - How to use medication

(14:20) – Medication-induced side effects to be aware of

(18:26) – Medication's long-term effects

(20:10) – Common concerns around using medication

(22:53) – How to tell a child or teen they are going on medication

(24:52) – Weening off medication

(27:36) – How long should someone be on medication

(28:45) – Listener Q&A

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: Medication in the Treatment of Selective Mutism | What is Selective Mutism

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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]⁠

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!

(2:01) - How to prepare your child for school

(12:02) - What if my child has anxiety or a panic attack during school?

(16:12) - What if the teacher calls on me?

(20:41) - How do you recommend we build comfort and help with progression of communication?

(34:20) - How do you recommend educating the school?

(42:37) - How do you determine what type of plan you recommend (i.e., 504, IEP)?

(48:51) - Bathroom and eating issues

(1:01:07) - 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

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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]

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]⁠