SMG Annual Conference 2009

Lynn Lunceford, Psy.D

Abstract

This presentation will provide a detailed overview and explanation of selective mutism. Topics covered will include the causes of selective mutism, how to diagnose it, co-occurring disorders, and the family issues that arise as a result of dealing with the disorder. Strategies for beginning to help children afflicted with SM will also be addressed.

Learner Outcomes

1. Participants will be able to identify 3 factors that contribute to the development of SM


2. Participants will be able to list 3 diagnostic features of the disorder


3. Participants will be able to list 3 strategies to help children with SM

Dr. Lynn Lunceford specializes in family therapy and treating children with selective mutism. She became passionate about working with children with SM after a five year-old child was brought to see her after being misdiagnosed, mistreated, and placed in classes for slower children. Seeing the impact of the misdiagnosis resulted in Dr. Lunceford becoming and advocate and specialist in this area. She works with parents and schools to build a treatment plan to help those children who have difficulty communicating overcome their anxiety.

Dr. Lunceford studied at Sarah Lawrence College and the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). She earned her Doctorate of Psychology from the San Diego University for Integrative Studies, writing her doctoral dissertation on Selective Mutism: A Case Study.

As a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego, California (www.doclynn.com and www.selectivemutism.net), Dr. Lunceford has been seeing clients since 1991, working works with individuals, couples and families, treating adults, teens and children. She appears regularly on news programs to help increase community awareness about important mental health issues, such as selective mutism.

view Dr. Lunceford's professional profile.

Steven M.S. Kurtz, Ph.D., ABPP

Abstract

The assessment and treatment of selective mutism is in its relative infancy. Professionals from a variety of disciplines – psychology, psychiatry, special education, speech and language, social work, occupational therapy, music therapy, and art therapy – are working hard in the trenches every day with committed families to try to understand and refine what may be the optimal treatment approaches to working with children with SM. Ideally, the process should be a continual back and forth flow between the designers of research and the folks in the real-life trenches who actually implement these strategies - parents, teachers, therapists, and the kiddos themselves. This presentation will review what has been tried, what the data suggest seems to be working, what has looked good on paper then bombed in real life, with some thoughts as to what lies ahead. The presentation is punctuated with some great videotape of the actual techniques so that participants will be able to get a real feel for some of these fun, special, and effective innovative treatment approaches.

Learner Outcomes

1. Participants will be able to differentiate SM intervention strategies that have been supported by research from those that although popular, may lack empirical support.


2. Participants will be able to identify the steps needed to establish a video feedforward, self-modeling program for the SM child they interact with.


3. Participants will be able to design a simple SM therapeutic game to facilitate the establishment, maintenance, and generalization of brave talking for the SM youngster in their lives.

Dr. Kurtz is a clinical child and adolescent psychologist currently in his 24th year of practice. He is an Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on the faculty of the New York University School of Medicine where he mentors externs, interns, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and Residents - the next generation of child psychologists and psychiatrists. He is currently the Co-Director of the NYU Child Study Center Selective Mutism Program. Their program provides assessment and treatment for families living with SM and they are actively engaged in research to advance the evidence base of empirically supported assessments and treatments specific to selective mutism. This August, the NYU Child Study Center will be running the first ever one-week day camp for children ages 4-6 with selective mutism — Camp Brave Buddies — to help children gear up for success as they enter the coming school year.

Dr. Kurtz's work in SM has been profiled on the nationally—acclaimed PBS television show Keeping Kids Healthy as well as in numerous parenting magazines. He and his team have also been presenting their selective mutism research at peer-reviewed professional conferences such as the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Dr. Kurtz is the inaugural Clinical Director of the NYU Child Study Center’s Institute for ADHD & Disruptive Behavior Disorders, now in its 11th year. Dr. Kurtz received his Doctorate from Washington University and holds a Diplomate in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Kurtz is very active in national professional psychology societies where his volunteer activities include being a Diplomate Examiner for ABPP, an Ambassador for the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and an ad hoc journal reviewer for professional publications. Steve routinely presents at national scientific meetings on selective mutism, as well as in his other specialties of ADHD, comorbid disorders, treatment engagement and training issues, and does many inservice workshops and trainings for school and community organizations. He is the Director as well of NYU's Parent-Child Interaction Therapy program and consultants with agencies statewide to train their staff members in this highly-regarded parent training program. He has appeared as an expert on numerous television shows, and participated in many newspaper and magazine pieces on SM and other child issues, aside from his professional publications. Dr. Kurtz is proud to have received the Teacher of the Year award from the NYU Child Study Center and was nominated for the NYU School of Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award. Steve has two adult daughters, both of whom work with children, and Bonnie, his wife of 31 years, is a certified elementary and art teacher. He is an avid skier and cyclist and an addicted lover of bluegrass music. He shares his music passions as well with the children of the Junior Choir at his congregation, which just produced its fourth CD!

view Dr. Kurtz's professional profile.

Kid's Camp will be run concurrently with the conference. This is an opportunity for children age 3 through 12 to meet other children with SM and their siblings. The day will be full of arts and crafts and games that facilitate interaction and engagement without the stress of speaking.

Megan Ross, one of SMG's CA State Coordinators will lead the Kid's Camp program with support from local volunteers who have been trained in working with kids with SM. Megan brings a special level of knowledge and experience to this program as she is also an adult who overcame SM as a child and is now a certified educator.

Please indicate on your registration that will be bringing your children to Kids Camp; registration is $75 per child, with meals included.