Social Thinking in the News
We are thrilled to be part of these recent news stories! Social Thinking stands committed to providing quality, practical information that is rooted in research, built upon real-world experiences, and is responsive to the needs of the people who use our materials and those who teach it.
For over 25 years Social Thinking has been a guiding resource for schools, clinics, and families around the world, and our teachings continually evolve based on the latest research and clinical insights. Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP and the founder of Social Thinking is a leading expert in her field and has received many awards for her groundbreaking work.
Social Thinking has developed social emotional learning strategies for 25+ years. Our teachings help engage people in social learning not only about themselves but about others. Social Thinking does this by developing evidence-based strategies that help people age 4 through adult improve their social competencies, including: self-regulation, executive functioning, perspective taking, friendship & relationship development, and social problem solving. While our deeper work is for individuals with social learning differences (ADHD, twice exceptional, social communication disorders, autism spectrum levels 1 and 2, etc. or no diagnosis,) a subset of our work has been adopted into mainstream classrooms and workplaces around the world to improve social emotional learning for all.
How parents can help their children cultivate healthy friendships
 |
September 8, 2023 |
Ryan Hendrix, MS, CCC-SLP, Social Thinking Speaker & Author Featured in The Washington Post
Heading into a new school year, it is essential for parents to prioritize helping their children make and maintain friends. Ryan Hendrix, a speech and language pathologist specializing in social cognition and communication, underscores the complexity of forming friendships, referring to it as a "social executive function task." .
“A lot of people are drawn to what they see [as] the popular kids,” notes Hendrix, who encourages youngsters to think more about “finding those people that you have overlap with, and how those overlapping areas of interest can foster mutual additional connection.” For many kids, she adds, it can be important to remind them that friendship should be rooted in a mutual experience that allows you to feel comfortable about who you are.
Award from the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Lectureship Award, 2019
Michelle Garcia Winner, a speech-language pathologist MA, CCC-SLP and the founder of the Social Thinking Methodology, was honored to receive the Lectureship Award from the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP) at their Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. in September 2019. The SDBP Lectureship Award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of developmental and behavioral pediatrics.
At the meeting, Michelle presented a keynote address on the Social Thinking-Social Competency Model and breakout session on social anxiety management to an interdisciplinary audience of clinical psychologists and nurse practitioners in addition to the developmental and behavioral pediatricians. Michelle enjoyed teaching and sharing ideas with attendees. One pediatrician told her after the meeting, “This information is so important, it should be taught everywhere.”
SDBP advocates for an integrated approach to the biological, psychological, social, educational, and cultural influences on children, youth, and their families. As the leading voice for interprofessional developmental and behavioral pediatric care, the mission of SDBP is to improve the health and well-being of children and families by promoting high quality research, education, advocacy, and practice.
Ron Suskind Introduces Michelle Garcia Winner
The John Pratt Memorial Lecture is dedicated to facilitating the impact of research on practice at the Ivy Street School in order to improve student outcomes.
What People Are Saying About Social Thinking
Parents & Families
Thank you doesn’t seem enough for all that your teachings have done for me and my family! They have been a lifeline for me to re-connect with my 9-year-old. Everything you publish is 100% applicable. Keep up the amazing work!
Elementary School
Social Thinking has completely changed the environment of who we are as a whole. Thank you for providing us with such rich social and emotional resources. The impact that your resources make are life changing and early intervention is key. Your curriculum is truly amazing! I bought into Social Thinking about 9 years ago and will use this as long as I am in education.
Schools
I appreciate how the Social Thinking Methodology links social intent/thinking and the common core or school based standards. This connection, and the understanding that exists, is so crucial to every member of a student's school community.
Mental Health & Clinicians
The Social Thinking Methodology is the philosophy that I ascribe to professionally. It serves as my guide through assessment and intervention.
Speech Language Pathologists
I love how realistic the approach is, and doable! Based on real clinical experience adaptable to individual needs/strengths. Great that all the vocabulary is simple, easy to understand, and not full of professional shop talk.
Parents & Families
Social Thinking’s program has given me the much needed tools to communicate in a meaningful way with my 9-year-old son. Thank you. The stress level in our house has decreased along with the meltdowns. He is able to come out of the meltdowns much more readily.
Adult Clients
I am a professional, high-functioning 37 year old woman diagnosed as being on the spectrum two years ago. The Social Thinking Methodology is by far the most helpful resource I have encountered. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. Your concrete examples are extremely helpful.
