Furr\u2019s training and research focuses on anxiety disorders. She decided to specialize in selective mutism after identifying a real need for effective treatment and a lack of available services.<\/p>\n
For a year, Aylani received therapy to treat her selective mutism in her home state of North Carolina with no success. This past summer, Aylani and her family traveled to South Florida to take part in FIU\u2019s Brave Bunch Program for Selective Mutism.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I realized Aylani\u2019s anxiety was affecting her in and out of school, I began looking for local help but could not find people that specialized in selective mutism,\u201d Aysel said. \u201cI found information on Brave Bunch online and decided to take the chance.\u201d \u201cWith six-hour days, they have time to process, adjust and practice multiple situations with repeated exposure,\u201d Furr told the New York Times<\/em>. \u201cThe idea is to translate gains to a real school setting, where they have the most limited speech.\u201d<\/p>\n For Aylani, the week she spent at FIU\u2019s Brave Bunch camp proved to be transformative. She now orders in restaurants and responds when spoken to. As she gets ready to start the 5th<\/sup> grade, Aylani is already communicating with her teachers and peers.<\/p>\n \u201cBrave Bunch has given us both my daughter and I strength and the tools we need to move forward,\u201d Aysel said. \u201cI would definitely recommend this program. So far it has changed our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n For information about services related to selective mutism and other anxiety disorders, contact FIU\u2019s Center for Children and Families at 305-348-0477 or visit ccf.fiu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Psychologist](\"http:\/\/news.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Selective-Mutism_2-400x267.jpg\")
<\/a>One of only seven programs in the country and the only one in the Southeastern United States, Brave Bunch is a week-long program designed with a camp format for children ages 4 through 10. Directed by Furr, the program teaches coping skills, incorporates activities that encourage verbalization, social interaction and exposure to unfamiliar peers and adults to help children like Aylani find their \u201cbrave voice.\u201d The camp also incorporates daily two-hour parent training sessions and bi-monthly booster sessions for families after camp is over.<\/p>\n