Social Thinking® Santana Row
Michelle Garcia Winner, M.A., CCC-SLP, Social Cognitive Specialist
Michelle Garcia Winner specializes in working with students with social-cognitive deficits. She runs a clinic, has authored numerous books and speaks internationally. She coined the term Social Thinking and pioneered the related treatment approach. She was awarded a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition in 2008.
Pamela Crooke, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Social Cognitive Specialist
Dr. Pamela Crooke is part of the clinical team at Social Thinking Santana Row as well as a faculty member of San Jose State University in San Jose, California. She served as a clinical faculty member at the University of Arizona's Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences for a number of years where she taught in the areas of Autism Spectrum Disorders and management of pediatric communication disorders. She most recently coordinated the interdisciplinary clinical services at the Autism Extension Clinic within the Tucson Alliance for Autism. Her area of research interest is treatment efficacy in social and relational therapies for individuals with Autism, specifically Asperger Syndrome. Dr. Crooke has remained a direct service provider for children and adults with autism in the school for the past 16 years and has presented her work on a regional and national level.
Stephanie Madrigal, M.S., CCC-SLP Social Cognitive Specialist
Stephanie Madrigal received her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from San Jose State University. She has worked as part of the team at Michelle G. Winner’s Center For Social Thinking Inc., in San Jose, for over seven years.
She is currently the lead therapist and clinical manager with her responsibilities including: leading many of the social thinking groups, scheduling groups at the clinic, school observations and consultations, school district trainings in the Northern CA area, social-cognitive assessments, conducting full-day workshops on various topics related to social thinking and trainer to other professionals that participate in the Mentorship Program at the Center. She is a very creative therapist incorporating her broad knowledge of therapeutic processes with humor and fun to impart information to her students. She is innovative in creating new materials for use in therapy and creating a warm and friendly rapport with her students and their families.
Stephanie’s role has also recently expanded to product development. In January 2008, her curriculum entitled, Superflex- A Social Thinking Superhero Curriculum will be released! The story and curriculum is much anticipated and will provide students and therapists fun and motivating lessons to explore social expectations, behaviors and ways to develop strategies to help Superflex defeat the ever-present Team of Unthinkables (Rock Brain, Topic Twister Meister, Mean Jean etc.). The Team of Unthinkables represent the challenging behaviors these students typically struggle with.
Social Thinking® Stevens Creek
Randi Dodge, M.S., CCC-SLP Director - Therapy Services
Randi received her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from California State University, Northridge. She became a part of the team at Michelle G. Winner’s Center For Social Thinking Inc. in 2003. Prior to working at for Social Thinking she worked for 3 years for the San Leandro Unified School District. Her caseload at SLUSD included working with students on the autism spectrum, including those with Asperger Syndrome, students with speech and language and learning disabilities. Her responsibilities include: overseeing and managing the talented Social Thinking therapy team, running social thinking groups, staff training, school observations & consultations, school district trainings on various topics related to social thinking and co-trainer to other professionals that participate in the Mentorship Program at the clinic. Randi specializes in the complexities of anxiety and social deficits. She is a passionate and dynamic therapist who has a real gift for breaking down and explaining complex concepts to students, parents, staff and professionals. Her dynamic smile and wealth of creativity are a tremendous asset to the clinic.
Deborah Hoffman, M.A., CCC-SLP Director - Purposeful Play Program (PPP)
Deborah (Debby) Hoffman began her journey to TSSV in the late 70's training with Dr. Ivar Lovaas in the autism project at UCLA. Following her BA in Psychology from UCLA, she completed her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology, from California State University at Northridge; thus combining social knowledge with speech and language development. Now, more than 20 years later, Debby is always excited to come to work at Teach SOCIAL, Silicon Valley. Debby has worked in private practice and the public school system; she has presented at workshops and has been a mentor to new speech language pathologists. Debby brings tremendous knowledge and experience to the clinic. Debby's first love continues to be working with young children who struggle with social cognitive deficits. She loves engaging children in purposeful play and watching their faces light up with the fun of positive playful interaction with others; while at the same time, educating and supporting their parents. Debby’s experience as a preschool teacher and parent, her warmth and enthusiasm, her knowledge of social skill development and experience working with children with social cognitive deficits is a winning combination. Debby makes therapy fun and engaging for children and their parents. Debby believes that “as long as you laugh at least once, your day is not wasted.” Debby never wastes a day, she gets to spend her day doing what she loves best, playing with great kids and their parents.
Susan Day, M.A., CCC-SLP
“It felt like home”, says Sue Day after having the privilege of working for Michelle Winner at the Center for Social Thinking in 2003. Now, 8 years later, she feels thankful to be able to continue working with this special population of individuals having social – cognitive challenges. This tremendous staff of “dedicated, talented and wonderful professionals” continues to create an atmosphere which provides services to children and adults having such deficits. Sue obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Speech and Language Pathology in 1976 and 1978, respectively. The Bachelor’s was obtained in her “hometown” of New Orleans, Louisiana and Master’s at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. After working in the public school system for 2½ years, she entered private practice - and never left. She has worked in and with a variety of public and private schools in the Bay Area since moving to California in 1984. Sue’s professional strengths are her extensive experience with language and related learning problems of all types in children and adults as well as her ability to work with families and other professionals to incorporate methods and strategies into the “real life” environments of home, school and community. Immersion into the world of social – cognition at this clinic is considered to be the apex of her career.
Ryan Hendrix, M.S., CCC-SLP
Ryan received her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in art therapy and master's degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Arizona. While at the U of A, Ryan met Dr. Pam Crooke, who introduced her to the unpredictable, quirky world of social thinking. Having grown up with a close family friend with Asperger Syndrome, the lessons resonated strongly with her. Ryan led social cognitive groups throughout graduate school, and together with Pam, authored a published journal article discussing results of a pilot study examining the efficacy of social thinking therapy. Following graduation, Ryan continued implementing social thinking principles in the Tucson community with preschoolers through adolescents. When opportunity knocked, she followed Pam west to the Center for Social Thinking in December of 2007. Ryan's artistic and creative talents allow her to present lessons in a visual, fun, and engaging manner. She spends her free time reading, thinking about practicing yoga, and exploring the bay area and has an unexplainable affinity for elephants, especially pink ones!
Tara Roehl, M.S.- CCC-SLP
My name is Tara Roehl and I am a nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist. I received my Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After graduation I worked as a speech therapist in the Illinois and California public school systems and most recently at a Silicon Valley school district preschool as lead speech therapist and on their autism diagnostic team. Independently, I created the district’s “Speech/Social Group” program for children with speech delays and/or high functioning autism diagnoses. I am passionate about working with children with autistic spectrum disorders, and was excited to join Teach SOCIAL in March 2010. The experience is one that challenges me to constantly grow as a clinician and create new ways to reach out to each of my students. My passion for working with special needs children extends to the “Exceptional Children” program I oversee at church. I train adult and teen volunteers to work with our students and help coordinate services for children with special needs on weekends. Outside of work and church, you’ll often find me escaping to the “country” to ride my horse, Big Red, or traveling with my husband.
Kelly Bleckley, M.A., CCC-SLP
Kelly Bleckley is a speech-language pathologist who completed her undergraduate work at Biola University and graduated summa cum laude. She earned her master’s degree from San Jose State University, completing her internship at Teach SOCIAL during the last six months of her graduate program. Kelly says, “Since this is the clinic where Social Thinking was developed, it was a tremendous opportunity to study the practices of social thinking and to learn firsthand from the notable therapists.” Upon graduation, Kelly joined the Teach SOCIAL team as a Social Cognition Therapist, and continues to enjoy her work with clients and families. Her passion for working with students of all ages and within different contexts led Kelly and her husband, Matthew, to serve in the junior high program at their church, an experience that allows her to engage with students on a different level, and she says, “helps me to stay “up to date” on what is going on in middle schools across the valley.” Growing up in the deserts of Arizona and southern California, Kelly often spends her vacation time seeking out starry nights and wide open spaces.
Nancy Weston, Therapy Support Liaison
My Name is Nancy Weston. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. For the last two years I have had the privilege of working for Teach Social Silicon Valley, in a variety of roles. The majority of my past experience has been in critical care units for infants, children, and high risk expecting mothers. My hospital experience began as a Respiratory Therapist for neonatal intensive care. During my 15 years as an RRT I obtained my LMFT. Gradually I switched roles into a Social Worker position for families with critical ill children. Before working at Teach SOCIAL I went through the mentor program offered my Michelle Garcia Winner, the founder of Teach SOCIAL. I continue my training by attending her conferences on new practices and enjoy learning how others all over the world are using Social Thinking. My current role at Teach SOCIAL reflects my passion for working with children and families facing significant challenges. I truly understand this as I have a son who is benefiting from Social Thinking.
Laura Martinez, M.A.
Information coming soon
Lisa Mazariego, M.A., CFY-SLP
Information coming soon
Linda Huff
PPP Program Administrative Coordinator
Information coming soon
Prerna Dasai, M.A., OTR/L
Information coming soon
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Mimi Pauline, Controller
Chris Brown, Front Desk Administrative Support
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