Summary
In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, a leading expert in selective mutism and the president of the SMART Center in Pennsylvania. We explore the often misunderstood condition of selective mutism, discussing its critical differences from nonverbal autism and the importance of recognizing it as an anxiety disorder rather than a choice not to speak.
Dr. Blum shares her personal journey into this field and introduces her innovative treatment approach, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment (SCAT), which focuses on addressing the underlying causes of anxiety. We also discuss the role of parents and educators in fostering communication skills and creating supportive environments for children with selective mutism.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective strategies for supporting children facing communication challenges, as well as the importance of understanding each child’s unique needs. This episode is essential for parents, educators, and anyone interested in navigating the complexities of communication in neurodivergent children.
Links
- SMART Center: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/
- Selective Mutism Association: https://www.selectivemutism.org/
- Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s podcast, Unspoken Words: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unspoken-words-a-selective-mutism-podcast-by-dr/id1621959774
- Janeen’s appearance on Dr. E’s podcast, Unspoken Words
Meet Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Elisa Shipon-Blum, DO – or Dr. E, as her patients call her – is the President and Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety and Related Disorders Treatment Center (SMart Center). She is also the host of the #1 podcast of Selective Mutism, Unspoken Words. She is a board certified physician who specializes in Selective Mutism. Over the past 30 years, Dr. E has helped thousands of children, teens, and adults from around the world overcome Selective Mutism. Notably, the inspiration of her work comes from her daughter, Sophia, who suffered from and overcame Selective Mutism.
She is the Founder and Director Emeritus of the Selective Mutism Association (SMA). She is also the Director of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI), a foundation established to study Dr. Shipon-Blum’s theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism.
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