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. Eany 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 dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org
