“Michelle's work is invaluable!  Her expertise is matched by her enthusiasm, practical ideas, and engaging speaking style. Parents and professionals arrive with questions, and leave with answers and ideas of their own!  Anyone looking for a workshop to recharge their enthusiasm and reignite their commitment to teach social concepts and skills, will leave with a wealth of new information and insight."
Carol Gray, educator and developer of “Social Stories” and “Comic Strip Conversations”

“Michelle's workshops are upbeat, well-organized and incredibly informative. Her blend of humor, real-life stories and factual information keeps everyone alert and engaged throughout the workshop.”
Jane Bindl Oi, a parent

Of all those who attended a national conference in 2003 sponsored by Linguisystems, of the 245 evaluations received 153 audience members stated that the workshop exceeded their expectations and 84 stated that the workshop fully met their expectations. 215 stated that the overall presentation was “excellent!”.

Descriptions of the 7 different workshops Michelle presents:

•  Day 1: Social Cognitive Deficits Across the School and Home Day: The ILAUGH Model of Social Cognition
  Designed for parents & professionals to understand the inner mind of persons high on the Autism Spectrum (Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS or High Functioning Autism), with ADHD, Non-Verbal Learning Disability or have no working diagnosis but they fit the clinical picture! Participants will learn not only functional treatment strategies they can use both at school and at home, but they will also better understand why these students' react and respond the way they do.

  On this day we will introduce the I LAUGH model of Social Cognition which helps to demonstrate how social processing difficulties impact not only social skills but also the ability to work as part of a group and focus on specific academic tasks such as written expression, reading comprehension and organizational skills for many of our students.

  We will also address how best to approach writing IEP goals that impact real, albeit, slow change in how students understand the world around them. Concepts related to assessment will also be introduced and the problem with using only standardized tests to qualify these students will also be explored. This workshop is noted for its depth in explaining WHY students with social skills difficulties have related academic challenges, which impact them across their school and home day.

  For workshop administrators who are sponsoring a workshop with Michelle, please download the following information for the ILAUGH DAY to use for applying for CE 's and for advertisements for the workshop days.

•  Day 2: The Nuts and Bolts of Starting Social Thinking Programs: Practical Strategies for Assessment and LIFE
  Attendance at “Social Cognitive Deficits Across the Home and School Day” is required to fully appreciate the information presented on this day.

  This workshop is designed for parents and professionals to gain more specific knowledge about assessing and teaching our students at home and at school. On this day the audience will be required to work in small group activities and engage in active dialogue about informal/qualitative assessment and treatment techniques that will be specifically described for use in the classroom, home and in the therapy room.

  Given that all people who live and