Intensive SM Group for Children with Selective Mutism ages 7 to 10
Runs for 4 Saturdays from 1-3 pm for 4 Weeks, 2 hour group sessions each
Cost per Session: $210 for 120 minutes
Parent Education Session: TBA, 1 hour, $105
Location: This group will be run by Kelly O’Brien, Ph.D. and held at Alvord, Baker & Associates Chevy Chase location: 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 1120, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Registration: Please email kobrien@alvordbaker.com to register and hold your spot.
Goals and Description of Groups
Our groups apply evidence-based techniques for encouraging the initiation and maintenance of speech and social interaction in a warm and safe setting. Children practice building speech with their individual counselor, peers within the group, and during generalization activities within the community. Beginning goals involve building towards spontaneous and elaborative speech one to one through warm up games with their counselor. We then transfer speech to interactions with peers 1:1 and through group games. As children build confidence, activities are adjusted to add challenge. During the last two group sessions, short trips will promote interactions with individuals outside of the group, including a trip to the library, sweet shop, etc. As part of these groups, we schedule a one-hour parent education session for coaching and problem solving regarding use of evidence-based techniques in home and school settings.
