A Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Boot Camp and Family Fun Day: the First of Its Kind

Jenkintown, PA, June 10, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Kids with Selective Mutism and social anxiety, as well as parents, siblings, and friends from across the US are invited to join national expert Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and staff at a unique Selective Mutism Boot Camp and Family Fun Day! The camp will take place July 18, 2015 at Willow Grove Day Camp from 9am to 6pm. This day will provide a real camp experience and family members will have the opportunity to learn and practice the evidenced-based Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® or S-CAT® strategies.

Suffering from a debilitating anxiety disorder, children with Selective Mutism (SM) cannot speak in social settings although they can speak normally in comfortable environments - usually at home. For over 90% of these children, mutism is due to severe social anxiety. SM children typically demonstrate mutism in social settings as toddlers, but are assumed to be “just shy”. The average age of diagnosis is between 3 - 8 years old. The problem is often recognized when the child enters school. Due to the scarcity of information available, some children go years without speaking in social settings and may be unable to communicate even nonverbally, which is stressful for the child and perplexing to parents, teachers, and treating professionals. It is important to realize that with proper diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for overcoming Selective Mutism is excellent, however, if left untreated often leads to years of suffering and social withdrawal.

The primary purpose of this intensive, but fun, one-day therapeutic camp is for families to learn hands-on treatment strategies, attend workshops, listen to parents/children who suffered from SM share their stories, and just be with others who understand in a comfortable, relaxed environment. “We believe that this event is the first of its kind and most likely, the largest gathering of children/families affected by Selective Mutism in the world!” says Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, President/Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center. Every family can choose to interact with counselors by being grouped with other families, or they can have a less structured day while learning and informally meeting others through the many activities available at the camp, or even a combination of both experiences! However families decide to participate, they will have a wonderful and memorable experience as they meet others and enjoy a day long family picnic/BBQ, as well as countless camp activities!