MMK-OKC is designed to give children hundreds of “guided exposures” with trained staff (including licensed counselors and child psychologists) and volunteers to help them speak while doing activities specifically created to facilitate speaking. Activities are paired with rewards and prizes to encourage “brave talking” from the children. 

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The immersion-based camp is unique in that in just a few days, children have thousands of guided opportunities to speak in a safe and supportive environment. Children are involved in simulations of real-life experiences in the classroom, at the doctor’s office, and in public or with family. For example, physicians donate their time to practice what takes place during a doctor’s visit for a child to become comfortable speaking during medical exams and with adults. These opportunities and the environment in which they take place are often the catalyst for children to speak – they are in a group of children just like themselves who are struggling with the same thing.

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While their children are involved in fun, but targeted activities, the parents receive mutual support from other parents, learn skills to use every day, have opportunities to speak with medical professionals about their children and their struggles, as well as practice support skills designed to help their children build on the progress made during the week. One important benefit of the time parents spend together is the relationships they form with other parents going through the same struggles and with the parents who have children who are now speaking and strengthening their skills. Both the children and their parents form important friendships with those attending the camps – most importantly, the children and parents realize that they are not alone on the journey to conquer SM.

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