Unspoken Words: A Selective Mutism Podcast by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum

Episode 75 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum answering some of the most commonly submitted listener questions received at the SMart Center — covering peer engagement, school transitions, and a topic that doesn't get nearly enough airtime: grief.Dr. E and Dr. Jenna tackle why children with SM can speak freely at home yet go completely silent around peers, break down the critical difference between responding and initiating, and make the case for why facilitation — not waiting — is the most important thing parents and school professionals can do. Through real case examples, they illustrate how pairing children around high-interest activities like chess clubs and baking projects creates the comfort and connection that must come before communication can follow.The second half turns to grief — specifically, how to process the sadness of not having received proper SM treatment as a child, and what it feels like to watch younger generations succeed while carrying the weight of years of ineffective therapy. Dr. E and Dr. Jenna offer clinical perspective and genuine reassurance, and introduce gratitude journaling as a practical tool for shifting focus from deficits to wins.The episode closes with a timely reminder that the end of the school year is the right time to start planning for the next one — from 504 and IEP updates, to summer peer pairings, to building transitions — and why the tone parents bring to that process matters more than they may realize.--Chapters: (03:23) Introducing the Initiation Gap and Why Facilitation Can't Wait(08:53) How High-Interest Activities Build the Comfort and Connection That Precedes Communication(18:03) What If My Life Had Been Different? Processing the Grief of a Late or Mismanaged SM Diagnosis(29:54) Why Focusing on Wins — Not Deficits — Is the Key to Lowering Anxiety and Building Momentum(39:47) How to Plan School Transitions, Peer Pairings, and Summer Preparation Before the Window Closes- ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/resources/ 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 6-Week Virtual Group Series for children and teens!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 Productions (neweditionconsulting.com)

Episode 74 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum, exploring one of the most frequently asked — and misunderstood — questions in the selective mutism community: Is it SM, autism, or both?In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna break down the core features of each condition and explain why they so often look alike on the surface — while stemming from very different underlying causes. They discuss why the home environment is one of the most important diagnostic clues, how a child's motivation for peer connection can reveal whether anxiety or the social puzzle is driving their shutdown, and why the reason behind the silence matters just as much as the silence itself.They also cover the critical distinction between comfort and skills — why children with SM have innate social know-how that anxiety blocks, while children on the autism spectrum often need those social skills explicitly taught. Additionally, they address masking, restricted interests, echolalia, and the initiation-versus-response dynamic that can look surprisingly different in the autism population. The episode closes with an overview of the SMart Center's evaluation process, including how the SME, ADOS, and ADIR tools work together to bring clarity to complex, overlapping presentations.--(03:04) Is It SM, Autism, or Both? Introducing the Overlap and Core Features of Each Condition(09:38) The Social Puzzle: How Motivation and Peer Interest Reveal What's Really Driving the Shutdown(19:25) The Passenger in the Car: Why Social Communication Skills Must Be Taught, Not Just Unlocked(28:42) Same Behaviors, Different Reasons: How to Distinguish SM From Autism Across Settings(39:49) Masking, Misdiagnosis, and the Evaluation Process: What a Thorough Assessment Actually Looks Like--ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: https://selectivemutismcenter.org/resources/ 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- For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ This podcast was produced and published by New Edition Productions (neweditionconsulting.com)

Episode 73 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum, exploring the PVC model — a practical, anxiety-lowering framework built around three core principles: Preparing, Visuals, and Choice questions.In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss why deliberate preparation before an exposure matters more than most families realize, and how anticipation anxiety can undermine a child's readiness before they even walk through the door. They cover how visuals reduce cognitive load in ways verbal preparation alone cannot, why choice questions are a powerful tool for moving a child from responding to initiating, and how silent goals allow parents to set up supportive environments for resistant or overwhelmed children. They also introduce the look-listen-learn approach to understanding what strategies work best for each individual.--Chapters: (03:26) What the PVC Model Is and Why Anxiety Makes Communication So Hard(13:19) Why Preparation Before an Exposure Matters More Than the Exposure Itself(25:29) How Visuals Lower Cognitive Load and Why Writing It Down Changes Everything(33:15) Using the Social Communication Bridge to Meet Every Child Where They Are(43:05) Why Choice Questions Are the Key to Moving From Responding to Initiating- ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Prepare, Visuals, Choices! A Parent’s Guide to Reducing Anxiety and Boosting Communication for Children with Selective MutismAsk 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- For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ This podcast was produced and published by New Edition Productions (neweditionconsulting.com)

Episode 72 of the Unspoken Words podcast features Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Dr. Jenna Blum exploring why Selective Mutism is so much more than shyness and why comprehensive assessment matters.In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss how misunderstanding SM as simple shyness leads to missed diagnoses. They explore the distinction between shyness and anxiety-based communication challenges, identify common comorbidities (ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, sensory processing challenges, and speech/language issues), and explain when additional testing is needed. They also cover how to recognize red flags across settings and why understanding each child's underlying "whys" leads to more effective treatment planning.(04:22) Why "Just Get Them Comfortable" Doesn't Work When Treating Selective Mutism(14:21) Recognizing That Selective Mutism Is More Than Shyness(19:35) Selective Mutism Comorbidities You Need to Know About(28:19) The Less Anxious A Mute Child Looks, the More You Need to Dig Deeper(33:16) Assessing and Testing a Selectively Mute Individual-⁠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- For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at⁠ ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠⁠ This podcast was produced and promoted by⁠ New Edition Consulting⁠ (neweditionconsulting.com)

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.--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?-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- For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ This podcast was produced and promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)

Episode 70 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed., discussing detecting Selective Mutism early and building the foundation for successful intervention through intentional language and collaborative support.In the episode, Dr. E and Cara explore why early detection matters and why many cases of Selective Mutism are missed in young children. They discuss the distinction between shyness and anxiety-based communication challenges, red flags to watch for, and how intentional language builds confidence without pressure. They also cover first steps toward professional evaluation and treatment planning.--Chapters: (3:59) Full Body Sensory – Understanding How Anxious Kids Experience the World(7:04) The Four Ages Framework – Why Your Smart Kid Still Can't Handle Social Situations(17:58) Beyond the Label – Why We're Assessing Instead of Understanding(24:44) Tell, Don't Test – How Your Words Shape Anxiety in the Moment(41:13) Connection Over Correction – Building the Foundation for Everything Else- 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- For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at ⁠dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org⁠ This podcast was produced and published by New Edition Productions (neweditionconsulting.com)

Episode 69 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and parenting activist and founder of Tilt Parenting, Debbie Reber, on raising neurodivergent children and the connection between neurodivergence and Selective Mutism. In the episode, Dr. E and Debbie explore why Selective Mutism is often overlooked in neurodivergent children and how it co-occurs with autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorders. They examine what Selective Mutism looks like across different environments and discuss the unique factors—sensory processing, social fatigue, and executive functioning—that trigger communication anxiety.--Chapters: (3:48) Introduction to neurodivergence, definitions, and foundational concepts(11:22)  Understanding underlying reasons, the emotional/sensory experience, diagnosis and identification(20:32) Practical strategies and parenting approaches(32:16) Connection, relationships, emotional regulation, nervous system(39:33) Practical tools, strategies, parental mindset, resources - 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 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 Productions (neweditionconsulting.com)

EP68 of the Unspoken Words podcast features the five most popular chapter cuts from 2025.--Chapters: (02:23) VIA EP45 (SHINING STAR) - NICK’S ADVICE TO TEENS STRUGGLING WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM(11:15) VIA EP47 (ASK DR. E) - WHERE SHOULD TREATMENT START FOR A 4-YEAR-OLD W/ SELECTIVE MUTISM?(22:49) VIA EP48 (SHINING STAR) - ALEX’S UNIQUE BUT RELATABLE EXPERIENCE WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM (27:23) VIA EP51 (ASK DR. E) - HOW TEACHERS CAN HELP STUDENTS WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM(37:35) VIA EP60 (W/ DR. NATALIE WEDER) - RESILIENCE & SELECTIVE MUTISM- 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.com)

EP67 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and licensed Occupational Therapist and the creator and host of Adulting with Autism Podcast, April Ratchford, on the intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Selective Mutism in adulthood. In the episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and April Ratchford explore how ASD and Selective Mutism often co-occur and why adults are frequently misdiagnosed or misunderstood. They examine what SM actually looks like across different social settings in adults with ASD, and discuss the unique factors—including sensory processing, social burnout, and executive functioning—that influence communication challenges.--Chapters: (03:57) Understanding Autism vs. Selective Mutism – Key Differences(07:56) How ASD and SM Present Differently Across Social Settings(14:54) The WHYs Behind Mutism – Sensory Processing and Social Burnout(23:20) Tailored Treatment Strategies for Dual Diagnosis Adults(33:17) Practical Tools and Workplace Accommodations for Success- Ask Dr. E a question and we might answer it on a future podcast episode! 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.com)

EP66 features the latest installment of our Shining Stars series, where we sit down with former SMart Center patients – or their parents – and discuss how they overcame Selective Mutism. This episode, we meet former SMart Center patient, Leo.In this episode, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum and Leo’s mom, Misty, discuss how her family found the right treatment approach for Leo, concrete examples of Leo’s expanded communication, and advice for families beginning this journey, and more.--Chapters: (03:44) Recognizing Leo's Signs – When Leo's Shyness Became Something More(08:03) The Search for Answers – Explaining Four Years Without Progress(14:24) Finding the SMart Center – A Turning Point For Leo(22:03) The Power of Structure – Crossing the Bridge to Communication(29:47) Trust the Process – Lessons for Families on the Journey- 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. 6.5 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 promoted by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)