GIVERS AND FRIENDS FOUNDATION

The foundation encouraged young adults with selective mutism/social anxiety to participate in the selective mutism assocation annual conference september 2023 offered virtually. The speakers were mainly psycholigist/psychiastrists/speechlanguagepathologist who focused on the older age with sm (versus younger children) that year. There was also a group of young adults who shared their own journey in overcoming sm. The foundation has continued to search websites worldwide to locate young adults with sm who may be interested in a targeted support group. The foundation continues its practice of having "in person- and zoom meetups to practice the art of conversation. This year (march to may), we also had a staff member of the dept. Of rehabilitation who helps its clients secure jobs join in so as to be educated on the difficulties the sm population have with speaking to possible job interviewers.