EP59 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with parents at August 2025 CommuniCamp.

In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and three participating parents discuss strategies for a positive start to the school year, navigating the bathroom issue at school, what to do when your child refuses to go to school and more.

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Chapters:

(5:47) Strategies for Positive Start to School Year

(17:41) Every Child’s Needs at School are Different

(23:33) Navigating the Bathroom at School

(30:15) Effective Ways to Encourage Communication at School

(41:27) What to do when your child refuses to go to school

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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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP58 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jody LeVos, exploring the science behind play-based learning and its powerful role in helping children with selective mutism overcome communication challenges.

In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jody LeVos discuss how different types of play—from structured therapy to free exploration—can be integrated into treatment to support emotional regulation and encourage speech development.

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Chapters:

(6:03) What Science Tells Us About Play and Anxiety

(12:09) How Play Can Encourage Progression of Communication in Children with Selective Mutism

(18:48) The Intersection of Play and Therapy: How to Integrate Fun into Treatment

(30:29) Play Therapy vs Free Play: Which Works Best for Children with Selective Mutism?

(44:08) The Different Types of Play

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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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

-

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)

EP57 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with parents at June 2025 CommuniCamp.

In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and three participating parents discuss each parent’s unique but relatable experiences with a child with Selective Mutism.

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Chapters:

(9:53) The Role Adults Play in Helping Kids Speak

(20:25) Tips for Creating Comfort for Children with Selective Mutism

(29:45) Helping Your Child Feel Safe in New Environments

(35:54) Helping Kids Connect Socially, Even When It’s Hard

(42:51) Why Kids Need Real Practice to Start Talking

-

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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Share our upcoming Selective Mutism In The School Virtual Conference with your child or teen’s school staff. 5.5 CEs/CEUs are available.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

-

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and published by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)

EP56 features a discussion between Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum and licensed psychologist Ruth Perednik.

In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Ruth discuss why children don’t progress by practicing skills only in a treatment setting, how to continue therapy at home, how to get buy-in from teachers and school staff and more.

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Chapters:

(3:37) Breaking the traditional therapy model

(15:50) The magic of integrative treatment

(28:06) Intensive interventions in real time

(40:45) Revolutionary school-based supports systems

(50:23) Evidence-based results and accountability

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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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Learn more about our SM in the School self-paced online course, eligible for 5.5 continuing education credits.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

-

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP55 features a discussion between Dr E and Dr. Jenna Blum, a Clinical Psycholgoist at the SMart Center and the Director of the SMart Center’s growing general mental health department, Counseling & Assessments.

In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna break down how to foster independence in elementary-aged children. They discuss how to encourage decision making, foster self-help skills, develop your child’s problem-solving abilities and more.

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Chapters:

(3:38) How to Encourage Decision Making

(17:57) Importance of Fostering Self-Help Skills

(25:47) Developing your Child’s Problem Solving Skills

(32:38) Important of Planning & Routines

(38:44) How to Nurture Independence at School

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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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Learn more about our SM in the School self-paced online course, eligible for 5.5 continuing education credits.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

Reference Handout discussed during episode: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/fostering-independence-in-elementary-aged-children/

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For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP54 of the Unspoken Words podcast features our latest installment of our Ask Dr. E series, where we answer real questions from our listeners.

In the episode, we answer five questions, including how to manage inappropriate behavior in public, recommended summer jobs for a teen with SM, selective mutism vs just refusing to speak & more.

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Chapters:

(4:56) How can I help my 8-year-old manage loud, inappropriate restaurant behavior?

(10:56) What summer jobs work for my 15-year-old daughter with selective mutism?

(18:33) What strategies help an 8-year-old with selective mutism and oppositional behaviors?

(23:21) How do you distinguish selective mutism from conscious refusal to speak?

(30:59) Should I relocate with my 4-year-old who has selective mutism?

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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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

-

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP53 features a discussion between Dr E and speech & language therapist, Anna Biavati.

In this episode, Dr. E and Anna discuss bilingualism and multilingualism’s connection to Selective Mutism, the differences Between Speech & Language Difficulties and General Anxiety, how to Treatment & School-Based Accommodations for children with Speech & Language challenges, and more.

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Chapters:

(6:18) Bilingualism & Multilingualism and Selective Mutism, A General Understanding

(17:27) Differences Between Speech & Language Difficulties and General Anxiety

(31:26) Speech & Language Challenges: Treatment & School-Based Accommodations

(41:46) Family & School Involvement in Speech & Language Treatment

(53:37) How to Utilize Visuals and Games to Stimulate Language Learning

-

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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Learn more about our SM in the School self-paced online course, eligible for 5.5 continuing education credits.

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

-

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP52 features a discussion between Dr E and clinical psychologist, Dr. Ali Mattu, on the connection between misophonia - a disorder where certain sounds trigger emotional and physiological responses - and Selective Mutism.

In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Ali discuss what misophonia is, it’s connection to general anxiety disorder, strategies and tools to spot it in your children and treat it and more.

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Chapters:

(3:51) Understanding Misophonia

(11:14) Misophonia’s connection to general anxiety disorder

(19:06) How parents can spot Misophonia in their children

(28:25) Strategies & tools for managing Misophonia

(39:36) Experimentation and advocacy are the keys to overcoming Misophonia

-

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 Unspoken Words episodes here.

For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube

Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program

-

For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠

This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)