Selective Mutism Association Annual Conference 2017

The Selective Mutism Association is proud to host our annual conference this year in Boston, Massachusetts. This year's conference will be co-sponsored by the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) at Boston University.

We are excited to announce Donna Pincus, Ph.D., as our Keynote Speaker.  Dr. Pincus, Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at BU and Director of the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program at CARD, has focused her clinical research career on the development of interventions for children with the most highly impairing and understudied anxiety disorders. 

Keynote address: Helping Children to Grow Up Brave: Evidence-Based Strategies for Helping Youth Overcome Fear, Stress and Anxiety.

The conference will offer both a parent and a professional track. You can choose which track you would like to attend for each breakout session.  All registrants will attend the keynote address. In addition, we will host an expert Q&A panel and a Hear Our Voices panel where people discuss their SM experiences and recovery from SM. 

We are also offering continuing education for professionals, a kids' camp, bookstore that provides the latest resources in SM, and a silent auction.  Proceeds from the auction will be used directly by SMA to continue to educate and connect individuals impacted by Selective Mutism.

Register Now!

More Information:

Lunch:  Lunch will be on your own and there are several restaurants and eateries within walking distance of the Omni Parker House hotel. 

Happy Hour Gathering Friday, October 13:  There will be a happy hour gathering for all conference registrants from 7pm to 8pm at Parker's Bar in the Omni Parker House hotel on Friday October 13.  Please join us to meet and connect with other conference attendees.  We will have a room set aside for this event.

Transportation to event:  Public transportation is available from the Boston - Logan International airport.  The hotel is about 3 miles from the airport.  More information is available on the Omni Parker House hotel website.

Parking: Daily parking for the conference is $34 per day (no overnight stay).  Overnight valet (only) parking is $48 per day.

Kids' camp:  We are offering a non therapeutic kids' camp for children over 3 years old and potty trained for children that will need childcare services.  The cost is $110.00 for both days, Saturday only - $70 and Sunday only - $40.  The camp is a safe, fun place for children to go while their parents attend the conference and is supervised by people trained in SM.  Please note this kids camp does NOT offer SM treatment.  Lunch is available for children at kids camp for $12.50 per child for Saturday.  Alternatively, parents may take their children out to lunch with them.

Hotel Options: We encourage you to make your hotel reservations  early in order to get the lowest rates and ensure availability.  Boston is a busy city, and room rates will rise as the conference date approaches.    Our host hotel the Omni Parker House is offering a discounted room rate for the conference attendees.  To obtain the discounted rate, please either call the hotel at 617-227-8600 and specify the Selective Mutism Conference or book online unsing the group code 101217SELECTIVE. 

In addition, a room block conference rate of $279 is available for the Selective Mutism Association attendees at the Courtyard Boston Downtown hotel - 275 Tremont Street (based on availability). The Courtyard Boston Downtown hotel is 1 mile from our conference location, the Omni Parker House hotel.  Call Marriott reservations at 1-800-321-2211 or 617-426-1400 and mention the Selective Mutism Association room block to receive the special group rate. 

There are a variety of other hotels in Boston, near the airport and surrounding areas. 

Complete conference details are available on our website, please click here.