Selective Mutism Association

Annual Conference 2018

The Selective Mutism Association is proud to host our annual conference this year in Chicago, Illinois. This year's conference will be co-sponsored by Advanced Therapeutic Solutions.

We are excited to announce Karen Cassidy, Ph.D., ACT as our Keynote Speaker. Dr. Cassidy received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1990 from the Rosalind Franklin Universtiy of Medicine and Science.  She is nationally recognized as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders in children, teen, and adults. She has also conducted extensive research on anxiety, is widely published, and is a parent of a child who had SM.

Keynote address: Helping Your Child to Grow Up Out Loud and Just Fine

The conference will offer both a parent and a professional track. You can choose to attend either tracks presentation 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 individuals will discuss their SM experiences and recovery from SM. 

We are seeking approval to provide continuing education for professionals. We will provide a non-therapeutic kids' camp, a bookstore that provides the latest resources in SM, and a silent auction. Proceeds from the auction will be 100% contributed to SMA to continue its mission 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 Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile hotel. 

Happy Hour Gathering Saturday, September 15:  There will be a happy hour gathering for all conference registrants from 4:30pm to 5:30pm in the ballroom foyer area outside the general concession room on Saturday, September 15.  Please join us to meet and connect with other conference attendees. 

Transportation to event:  Public transportation via taxi, uber and El Line is available from both the O'Hare International airport (20 miles to hotel) and Chicago Midway Airport (11 miles to hotel).  More information is available on the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile hotel website.

Parking: Daily self parking is $39 for 2 to 12 hours.  Overnight self parking is $46, good until 5pm the following day.  Valet parking for 6 - 9 hours is $31.  Overnight valet parking is $65, good until 5pm the following day.

Kids' camp:  We are offering a non therapeutic kids' camp for children over 3 years old and potty trained 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 and must be purchased seperately. 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.  Chicago is a busy city, and room rates will rise as the conference date approaches.    Our host hotel, the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, is offering a discounted room rate for the conference attendees.   The discounted room rate is $279 per night and includes a hot cooked-to-order breakfast, complimentary nightly cocktail reception with light snacks and complimentary guest room WiFi.  To obtain the discounted rate, please either follow this link to make a reservation or call the hotel at 877-865-5321 and reference either the group code SMU.IC or the  Selective Mutism Association 2018 courtesy block.  

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

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