Social emotional learning is cumulative, dynamic, and expected as we shift through different developmental stages across our lives. This developmental learning curve can be steep, and teens are often unprepared for what it really means to be considered an adult when they celebrate their 18th birthdays. For many young adults, it’s an exciting time to test new freedoms, choices, and experiences but also a confusing, largely unsupported time—and many new adults (and their parents!)—are woefully unaware of what awaits them in this brand-new social world where they are fully accountable for the positive and negative consequences of their choices and actions. This includes obeying laws, anticipating how to avoid problems, reading social situations and understanding the unique social expectations for different contexts, communicating effectively, sharing space with others, fostering and maintaining meaningful relationships, and much more. It’s a tall order if this learning isn’t intuitive!
Life Beyond the Bell Schedule—Why We Teach Social Emotional Learning to Adults, Regardless of Age
Starting at 18 years old, it’s expected for teens to transition into the mindset of living as an independent adult, yet their brains are not fully formed until they are in their late 20s. There is so much for individuals to learn on many fronts, including but not limited to relationship development (including sexual relations), executive functioning, financial management, and organized thinking. And this learning continues to evolve in complexity and sophistication throughout our adult lives.
All adults, regardless of age, are expected to be able to learn strategies to continue to better manage their time, budget, mental health, and personal hygiene and care, as well as prioritize what needs to be done based on their coursework or job. They are also expected to be able to ask for help as needed; and because they’re adults, others are not as eager or able to anticipate their needs. As adults, they can refuse assistance and advice given by loved ones, mentors, friends, or teachers. By the same token, those who have financially, academically, and/or emotionally assisted them in the past can also now refuse.
Throughout our 25+ years of research, practice, and teaching, we’ve focused on the needs of young and mature adults and have found that when these social learners are presented with relevant and explicit concepts, tools, and practical strategies to make sense of evolving expectations within the social world, they can continue to learn to improve their social emotional problem solving. They’re able to gradually gain social competencies that help them, step by step, achieve their own social goals as they learn to navigate the complexities of the adult social emotional world.
The Social Thinking Methodology offers a diverse array of research-informed resources, training workshops, practical strategies, and visual tools specifically for young and mature adults, Neurodivergent and neurotypical. These materials deeply explore social and emotional awareness and self-regulation; communication and relationship development; executive functioning and organization skills; anxiety management, and other social competencies to make each element visible, understandable, and doable.
Explore our broad range of products, online courses, and free resources for teaching practical concepts, vocabulary, and strategies to help guide social learners in some of the most significant learning of their lives.
With respect, empathy, and wacky humor, Slaying Digital Dragons empowers teens to explore their screen scene; join the resistance against Big Tech’s manipulations and addictive algorithms; protect their body, brain, psyche, reputation, and relationships from the Digital Dark Side; and conduct a self-intervention (called an “App-endectomy”) to reset and optimize their digital lives.
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Strategies to Build Social Competencies
The Social Thinking Methodology provides evidence-based strategies to help people ages four through adult develop their social competencies, flexible thinking & social problem solving to meet their own social goals and improve:
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.
