THERAPY SERVICES
SPECIFIC SERVICES OFFERED
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Exposure Therapy
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Child Interactive Play Therapy
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Family Counseling
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Group Therapy
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
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Assessment & Evaluation
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ADOS
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Learning Difficulties
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School Visits & Consultation
SCHOOL BASED SERVICES
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Direct Observation within the school setting
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Collaborate with teachers regarding collective goals
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Develop techniques to communicate within the school setting
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Assist with program modification
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Provide resources for school staff
WHAT IS SELECTIVE MUTISM?
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person, normally fully verbal and capable of speaking, is not able to speak in specific situations or to specific people (e.g. adults or peers). Selective mutism often presents side by side with social anxiety.
Children, adolescents and adults with selective mutism usually have much difficulty speaking or being in social situations or large groups. Selective mutism is a relatively rare childhood disorder that affects approximately 1% of children in elementary school. The “non-speaking” is not deliberate but merely self-protection or an attempt to control the anxiety, and not deliberate or in any form oppositional (selective mutism organization, 2020).
Glossary of Terms
ADOS (Autism Observation Diagnostic Schedule) is a standardized test used to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a form of treatment that is based on the concept that negative thoughts and feelings can make you feel stuck in a vicious cycle. CBT thus aims to retrain the brain to more positive thinking and break down problems into smaller parts.
Exposure Therapy is a form of psychological treatment specifically developed to help people confront their fears. It teaches us to no longer avoid fears, fear of objects or situations etc.
Child Interactive Play Therapy is a form of treatment that helps children and their families express their emotions, learn to communicate together and solve issues. play therapy builds on the child's natural ability to express their feelings and emotions through play.
Family Counseling is designed to help families connect and communicate better together and resolve conflicts together.
Group Therapy is based on psychotherapeutic beliefs and brings people together to support and solve problems together.
Articles & Resources
Coaxing Children to Find Their Voices
The New York Times, April 17, 2015
Newsday, April 16, 2006
Department of Health Early Intervention Program
selectivemutism.org