EP71 (Ask Dr. E): Behavioral challenges, family SM patterns, school separation anxiety, whispering strategies & more

EP71 of the Unspoken Words podcast features our latest installment of our Ask Dr. E series, where we answer real questions from our listeners.

In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna address five important questions about selective mutism; including behavioral challenges in children who are verbal with peers, whether SM runs in families and how to support multiple children, school separation anxiety and its connection to SM, strategies for progressing beyond whispering, and how to help children who refuse accommodations and show no visible motivation to communicate.

Dr. E and Dr. Jenna share evidence-based insights and practical strategies to help parents, educators, and treatment professionals better understand and support individuals navigating selective mutism across different settings and developmental stages.

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Chapters: 

(04:11) What are behavioral red flags in children with selective mutism who are verbal with peers?

(10:28) Does selective mutism run in families, and how should parents support multiple children with SM?

(20:04) Is school separation anxiety related to selective mutism, or is it a normal adjustment process?

(31:42) What strategies help children progress beyond whispering to using their full voice?

(39:49) How do you help children who refuse accommodations and show no visible motivation to communicate?

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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 on April, 10th, 2026, with your child or teen’s school staff. 6.5 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 and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)