The Supplement Treatment Guide Book to Understanding Katie is meant to supplement the story book, ?Understanding Katie, ? in order to help others understand Katie's feelings, explain Katie's actions, and to introduce tactics/techniques for parents, teachers and treating professionals that can be used in order to help and offer support to a child with SM in times of stress and frustration. By reading ?Understanding Katie, ? adults involved in the life of a child with Selective Mutism and social anxiety will hopefully begin to comprehend how this child feels and perhaps learn productive ways in which to help. For individuals learning about Selective Mutism, there are certain important concepts to understand. The Supplement Guide goes over in detail, necessary therapeutic terms and that should be used to help the child suffering in silence.To truly understand how to HELP the child with SM, individuals need to ?SEE? Selective Mutism as a true communication anxiety. Treatment should never be geared towards getting the child to speak immediately but helping the child progress through the stages of communication in a step-wise fashion which is based on the child's present communication anxiety level.Treatment should be focused on the WHOLE CHILD, not their mutism. The Supplement Treatment Guide to Understanding Katie will therefore help parents, teachers and treating professionals SEE SM from the correct perspective and therefore be able to help ease the child anxiety while at the same time, help the child build their self esteem as well as communication and confidence in social settings
About the Author: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum ("Dr. E") is the President and Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center (SMart Center) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a Director of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI), which is a foundation started to study her theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism. Dr. E is the founder of the Selective Mutism Group (SMG). Dr Shipon-Blum is a board certified physician who is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology & Family Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum has developed the evidence-based treatment, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment (S-CAT)(R), from her years evaluating, treating& researching individuals with Selective Mutism. Dr. Shipon-Blum has treated over 5000 children from around the world, lectures throughout the country on the topic of Selective Mutism, performs school evaluations and trainings for treatment professionals, educators & parents. Dr. E and is considered one of the world's leading experts in the treatment and understanding of Selective Mutism. Dr. E has been a featured expert within the media. She has appeared on national television shows such as 20/20, CNN, Inside Edition, and Good Morning America, as well as other local/ national and international TV and Radio broadcasts. She has been featured in TIME Magazine, People Magazine and has interviewed with newspapers such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Diego Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Palm Beach Post and other media publications through- out the world. In addition, Dr. E has written numerous articles, books and produced DVD's on Selective Mutism. Dr. Shipon-Blum prides herself on being "down to earth." She resides with her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania