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shanpan
04-29-2005, 06:05 PM
SMCanada is holding a workshop on May 14, 2005, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Guest speakers include child psychiatrist Dr. Deborah Reisner, art and family therapist Nicola Sherwin-Roller, pharmacist Brenda Yuzdepski, craniosacral therapist Linda Fisher, as well as Shannon Panchyshyn for SMCanada.

Workshop topics include: obtaining an accurate diagnosis and finding treatment for your child, helping your child understand anxiety, anger management for children, collaborating with your therapist, SSRI medication – making informed decisions, physical symptoms of stress, craniosacral therapy and other natural methods of stress relief, finding the support and resources that you need, all about SM, what to do while you’re on the waiting list, Sensory Integration Disorder and occupational therapy, Canadian services and research, success at school, and how SMCanada can help.

The workshop content is of interest to parents and extended family, teachers and school staff, daycare and childcare workers, psychologists, family therapists, social workers, university students, and anyone with an interest in learning to understand this exceptional group of children. Together, we invite participants to look beyond the silence into the depths of this childhood anxiety disorder.

The beautiful surroundings and retreat atmosphere of Cedar Lodge will allow families to get to know one another and find much needed support.

It is hard to describe the sense of isolation that I felt in the first several years of dealing with my daughter’s SM. I knew that people were trying to understand what was happening with Jaiden, but at the same time realized that many truly weren’t getting it. It was an incredible experience to meet other parents and children at the SMG~CAN family retreat in Baltimore last summer, and to know that I was among people who really understood what we were going through. I came away with a strong support network and new friendships, and my daughter came away with a new sense of self-confidence that shone through in everything that she did. The family aspect of the conference was invaluable, and we hope to create the same supportive atmosphere for families at our workshop in May.

As part of the workshop, we will share the story of our daughter’s challenges with SM. “A year ago, Jaiden was only able to speak with a handful of people, and every day posed a struggle. Working closely with Jaiden’s school staff, we used a variety of techniques which allowed her to experience tremendous success this year. It is impossible to express the feeling of pride and joy that I feel each morning now, as I watch Jaiden head happily off to school where she is now comfortable speaking with all staff and students. My personal goal is to help other families find the help they need to achieve this level of success with their children.

The mandate of SMCanada is to provide education and support to families facing the unique challenges of Selective Mutism. The group intends to apply for charitable status so that funds raised can be used to directly assist families with treatment.

For information regarding the SMCanada workshop please contact:

Shannon Panchyshyn

(306) 862-9192

shanpan@sasktel.net

www.selectivemutism.ca (http://www.selectivemutism.ca)

Please note: the website is in it's infancy and we are having some technical difficulties getting information posted at the moment! New information should appear on the site daily.

shanpan
05-06-2005, 09:56 AM
We have had several requests about obtaining video copy of the May 14th workshop.

We are trying to make arrangements to offer live streaming video.

If anyone is interested in more information or registering to "attend" the workshop in this way they can contact me directly:

shanpan@sasktel.net

School staff are key to a child's success in overcoming Selective Mutism.

Our daughter is only as successful as she is today because her entire school participated in helping her to achieve her goals.

shanpan
05-21-2005, 11:22 AM
I'm pleased to see that many people have taken the time to read the post about our workshop.

It was a wonderful weekend including parents, teachers, SLPs, SM children and their friends and siblings.

The response was very positive, and it was certainly worth the effort in hosting this first-time event.

We hope to make this a travelling workshop.

If you have read this post and feel that your area would benefit from a community or school presentation please let us know.

Selective Mutism is an invisible disability that can be overcome.

If you are interested in learning more about SM please visit
www.selectivemutism.ca (http://www.selectivemutism.ca)
www.selectivemutism.org (http://www.selectivemutism.org)
http://www.designandcopy.ca/cgi-bin/mb/view.cgi

I can also be reached personally at shanpan@sasktel.net

I hope that my messages aren't considered to be "spam". There are many children suffering silently, and we need to reach out to them and their families. I check this forum regularly hoping to have some replies to respond to!

Shannon Panchyshyn
Selective Mutism Canada