Our Clinical Training Program is designed to provide an opportunity to observe and discuss the implementation and use of the Social Thinking Methodology across assessment and treatment. Attendees will be part of a small group of professionals from around the globe who will bring their unique experiences and understanding of Social Thinking and other treatment programs to the training. Attendees will observe clients from preschool age through adulthood, with most falling within the school-age years. The clinical treatment groups represent both concrete learners (Emerging Social Communicators) and nuanced learners (Nuance-Challenged Social Communicators). We often have at least one preschool group and some adult sessions, but this is dependent on the current client demand and observing an early learning group is not guaranteed.

During the 2020-2021 school year Social Thinking- Santa Clara, California will be taking a sabbatical, and we will only be offering our Clinical Training at our East coast location in Sudbury, Massachusetts, near Boston. (Social Thinking® Boston). This training is led by Nancy Clements, SLP, MA-CCC who is a member of the Social Thinking Training and Speaker’s Collaborative. Click here to learn more about Nancy Clements.

Social Thinking Boston is approximately 20 miles west of Boston. Several hotels are located nearby in Sudbury, Concord, and Waltham but there is limited public transportation available. Participants who are traveling by plane or train should plan on renting a car or finding rides through Uber or Lyft.

1. We will provide a list of nearby hotels and restaurants and encourage all participants to make their plans early for the best rates.
2. Collaboration is encouraged among the trainees. This helps foster team building and deeper discussions about Social Thinking.
3. Attending this training does NOT, in any way, certify the attendee as an official Social Thinking therapist or trainer. Instead, attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of Day 3 citing their attendance and participation if the attendee is present for all hours of the program.
4. The behavior required during Clinical Training Program hours: Please do not schedule work telephone calls or other activities (e.g., writing IEP reports, etc.) during training hours. Missing or being distracted during any hours of the Clinical Training Program means we have the right to: a) not list an attendee in our online Directory of Clinical Trainees, b) adjust the hours on the Certificate of Attendance to reflect the actual time an attendee was actively participating, and c) discontinue an attendee’s participation in the Clinical Training Program without providing any refund.
5. The Clinical Training Program is run by Social Thinking Santa Clara. However, Social Thinking Intellectual Property is owned by Think Social Publishing, Inc. These two corporations are both owned and operated by Michelle Garcia Winner with Dr. Pamela Crooke as a Chief Advisor. Attendees pay Social Thinking Santa Clara for participation in the program and all administrative questions will be answered by the Santa Clara office. Attendees are expected to follow the Intellectual Property Terms of Use and guidelines found on the Social Thinking website at https://www.socialthinking.com/intellectual-property. The website www.socialthinking.com represents both companies.

Attendees who receive the Certificate of Attendance will have the option to have their names posted on Social Thinking’s online Directory of Clinical Trainees. The purpose of this directory is to provide the public with access to people who have completed a higher level of Social Thinking training. Attendees can list their school district and/or private practice affiliations along with their contact information to 1) let the public know the attendee has a deeper clinical training experience about using the Social Thinking Methodology, and 2) let the public know who may be available to provide clinical services in their local area that use of the Social Thinking Methodology. Attendees’ names are maintained on our Social Thinking website as long as for up to five years if the attendee meets the following standards:

• Agree to abide by Social Thinking’s Intellectual Property guidelines. Sign and return the Intellectual Property agreement that is sent bi-annually
• Keep up to date with the Social Thinking Methodology as it evolves
• Respond to our staff when they ask yearly for affirmation that the contact information in the directory is accurate
• Respond to any other information we request

Attendees’ names will be removed from the Directory of Clinical Trainees if the attendee fails to respond to updates requested from our office, contact information is found to be no longer valid, they are found violating terms and conditions in using Social Thinking Intellectual Property. Attendees’ names will only be returned to the directory should the attendee submit requested updates.

Day 1: Attendees will begin with a 30-min orientation about logistics followed by an overview of the ST Informal Dynamic Assessment and related observation tools. Next, participants will watch a live (or, when necessary, video) assessment. If a report is part of the assessment, attendees will receive a copy of the report with identifying information redacted. Schedule: 8:30am to 7:00pm.

Day 2: The day will begin with a follow-up intensive discussion about findings of the assessment and how to do treatment planning based on what was learned from it. Information about the latest Social Thinking concepts and frameworks, clinical and educational treatment strategies, related research, and intervention tools will round out the morning. The afternoon will focus on observing live clinical sessions. Schedule: 9:00 am to 7:30 pm.

Day 3: The final day starts with a review of additional treatment materials and a discussion about treatment-related to teaching individuals about anxiety management. Q and A about previously observed clinical sessions are also included. The afternoon is reserved for observing additional clinical sessions. Schedule: 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Important: Trainees are expected to stay for the entire day for all 3 days of training. Please consider this timeline when scheduling your return flights and factor in the time you need to travel to the airport and wait for your flight.

Other Key Information

1. We will provide a list of nearby hotels and restaurants and encourage all participants to make their plans early for the best rates.
2. Collaboration is encouraged among the trainees. This helps foster team building and deeper discussions about Social Thinking.
3. Attending this training does NOT, in any way, certify the attendee as a Social Thinking therapist or trainer. Instead, attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of Day 3 citing their attendance and participation if the attendee is present for all hours of the program.
4. The behavior required during Clinical Training Program hours: Please do not schedule work telephone calls or other activities (e.g., writing IEP reports, etc.) during training hours. Missing or being distracted during any hours of the Clinical Training Program means we have the right to: a) not list an attendee in our online Directory of Clinical Trainees, b) adjust the hours on the Certificate of Attendance to reflect the actual time an attendee was actively participating, and c) discontinue an attendee’s participation in the Clinical Training Program without providing any refund.

1. Explain the Social Competency Model and how it relates to the fidelity of teaching all Social Thinking concepts.
2. Describe the six levels of the Social Thinking–Social Communication Profile (ST–SCP).
3. Explain the components of the Cascade of Social Attention and the implication for treatment.
4. Describe two different Informal Dynamic Assessment tasks and define how these are different from standardized assessments for functional treatment plan development.
5. Describe two ways in which lessons that teach Social Thinking Vocabulary vary among interventionists.
6. Utilize the ST–SCP and clinical observation to determine a client's level of the social mind.
7. Describe how cognition, perspective taking, language skills, and sensory skills relate to developing a functional treatment plan.

This is an advanced training in the Social Thinking Methodology and not Social Thinking 101. To be eligible to participate in the Clinical Training Program, applicants must:

1. Have at least one year of recent experience utilizing Social Thinking treatment frameworks, strategies, vocabulary, and concepts with clients/students of any age within the range of four years old to adulthood.
2. All professionals (mental health, educational, OT, SLP, etc.) that work directly with individuals with social learning challenges, who have met the other pre-requisites, are welcome to attend. We provide continuing education hours to some of these professionals (see below).
   • Behaviorists need to further evaluate if they should enroll in our Clinical Training Program. We are now aware that licensed BCBAs and licensed behavioral assistants are not allowed to utilize the Social Thinking Methodology as part of the work they do as a licensed BCBA, according to their licensing agency. For this reason, when a licensed behaviorist or behavioral assistant applies to our Clinical Training program, they will receive a letter from us reviewing the concerns. The licensed Behaviorist will have to select if they still want to proceed in our training based on our explanation of the situation or withdraw their application at that point. Behaviorists are asked to respond with their decision.
3. Remain updated about evolving aspects of the Social Thinking Methodology by reading free articles and watching free webinars. Our quarterly newsletters (you can join through our website www.socialthinking.com) will guide you to some of the new content posted on the website.
4. Have attended at least two full-day Social Thinking conference courses taught by a member of our Social Thinking Training and/or Speakers’ Collaborative or a guest speaker invited by Social Thinking or watched at least 12 hours of Social Thinking eLearning modules (6).
5. Read and used two or more of the core books published by Think Social Publishing, Inc., including but not limited to:
   • Thinking About YOU Thinking About ME
   • Inside Out: What Makes a Person with Social Cognitive Deficits Tick?
   • Social Thinking and Me
   • You Are A Social Detective combined with teaching Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum
   • We Thinkers! Volume 1 Social Explorers (storybooks and curriculum)
   • Socially Curious and Curiously Social
6. Applicants are selected based on the number of students/clients they serve in the community and their experience with the Social Thinking Methodology. Professionals or parent-professionals working with very small caseload are less likely to be selected.

About the Application Process

The Clinical Training Program is conducted monthly throughout the school year (September through May). There are only seven slots available in each training session. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Individuals who were on the waiting list from the previous year will be given the first chance to attend the current year training.

Each March we post online the application for enrollment in the Clinical Training Program for the upcoming school year (September–May). Applications are collected until all spots are full. Applications are collected until all spots are full. A complete application is the ONLY way to secure a space. We do not hold spaces for individuals who call or email to inquire about the program.

The application must be filled out completely. A complete application must contain:

• An application form
• At least three preferred training dates you would be able to attend.
• A written response explaining why you should be considered in the Clinical Training Program.
• Agree & sign the payment plan for this training.
• A $350 (USD) deposit. This deposit will be applied to the total tuition if you are selected to attend the Clinical Training Program

Deposit:
If paying this deposit by check, please make it payable to the “Social Thinking Center” and attach your check to the application for it to be considered for placement. Please mail the application to the attention of Vanessa Alcantar, 404 Saratoga Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Clara, California 95050. If paying by credit card or through other means, please coordinate the payment of the deposit within two days of emailing, faxing or mailing in your application by contacting the Clinical Training administrator, Vanessa Alcantar clinicinfo@socialthinking.com 408-557-8595 ext. 202 Office hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm Pacific Time.

If an applicant is accepted into the Clinical Training Program, the deposit is non-refundable. (See the Cancellation & Rescheduling Policies below.) If the applicant is not selected for the Clinical Training Program, a $50 administrative fee will be deducted and the remaining $300 will be refunded.

Team Attendance

Multiple applicants applying to attend the same session as a small group must send their applications in one envelope, email, or fax. Individual deposits are required for each person in the group. There is no group discount offered.

We offer continuing education credit for attending the Clinical Training Program for the professions listed below. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion and agenda as proof of participation. The training provides 20 hours of instruction.

Contact your licensing and/or certification organization: We are approved to offer continuing education (CE) credit in many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. However, because requirements can change without notice, we recommend contacting your licensing and/or certification organization to verify program approval to be 100% confident you can earn CE credit for the program. If you work in a location not listed, we recommend contacting your certification board to determine program approval.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

United States & Global ASHA Affiliates

All states: We are an approved continuing education provider through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); the program is offered for 2.0 ASHA CEUs. To apply for ASHA CEUs, fill out an ASHA registration form on the first day of training. Remember to bring your ASHA number to include on the form.

The program is offered for 2.0 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

If you maintain your own CE hours, your Certificate of Attendance qualifies as your verification of attendance form.

California: Michelle Garcia Winner is an approved Continuing Professional Development Provider by the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board for the state of California SLPs (PDP 54) (20 hours).

Canada: To apply for CEEs for our program, submit the Certificate of Attendance and agenda to your licensing organization. The Certificate of Attendance and agenda will be provided. Earn 2.0 CEEs for the training!

Counselors

Professions included under this category:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
• Certified Professional Counselors
• Licensed Professional Counselors
• Associate Professional Counselors
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors

United States

Most states: The program is offered to counselors for 20 clock hours toward the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit except where noted below. Social Thinking has been designated by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) No. 6685. Social Thinking is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

States that typically accept CE hours for programs approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors:

• All U.S. states except MT, NY, NV, OK

Educators

United States

Most states: To apply for continuing education credit for our training, submit your Certificate of Attendance and agenda documents to your district or employer after the program has taken place.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists

United States

Most states: Each course is offered for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit except where noted below. Social Thinking has been designated by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) No. 6685. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are identified. Social Thinking is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

States that typically accept CE hours for programs approved by NBCC, though they can change without notice:

• AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, ME, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY

Occupational Therapists (OTs)

Contact your licensing and/or certification organization to see if you can earn continuing education credit for our program. Many states accept CE hours for our training; however, Social Thinking is not an AOTA-approved provider.

United States

States that are likely to accept CE hours for our program when submitting paperwork after the training takes place:

• AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, Washington DC

States that require participants to submit the program for approval before the event to receive CE hours for attendance:

• IL, LA (for live events only), NM, ND, VT.

States that are unlikely to accept CE hours for our program:

• The states not listed in either category above require attendance at AOTA-approved programs to earn CE credit. Unfortunately, Social Thinking is not an AOTA-approved provider.

Canada

To apply for CEEs for our training, submit the Certificate of Attendance and agenda provided at the training to your licensing organization. The program is offered for 20 CEEs.

Psychologists (Clinical & School)

United States, all states: Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education credit programs. Commonwealth Educational Seminars maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists receive 20 hours of continuing education credit upon completing this program.

If you are not affiliated with APA, inquire with your respective state board to see if you can earn CE credit by attending our program. It might help to tell them the program is approved for APA credit.

Social Workers

United States

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Social Workers. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Social Workers completing this program will receive 20 clinical hours of clinical continuing education credit.

United States – as of October 2018

States that typically accept CE hours for programs approved by Commonwealth Educational Seminars:

• AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

States that typically accept CE hours for programs approved by other organizations:

NY: Social Thinking, SW CPE, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0334. The program is offered for 20 contact hours.

Many Social Work licensing organizations accept APA credit, which the Clinical Training Program is approved to offer. If your state is not listed above, inquire with your state board to see if you can earn CE credit by attending our program.

Questions about Continuing Education?

Elena Samsonova
Director of Conferences & Continuing Education
esamsonova@socialthinking.com
408-557-8595 ext. 325
Office hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm Pacific Time

Boston total fee: $1,500 (USD) This training is led by Nancy Clements.

A $350 (USD) non-refundable check is required to be submitted with your application to be considered for the program. Please make all checks are payable to the “Social Thinking Center.” If you’re accepted, your deposit will be applied to your tuition. If you’re not selected, a $50 administrative fee will be deducted and the remaining $300 will be refunded.

Upon notification of placement, all further payments toward the full tuition are non-refundable at the time of receipt by the Social Thinking Center. Immediately upon acceptance into the Clinical Training Program, your second tuition payment is due. The second payment is $600 (USD) Individuals notified of placement in the program who decide to withdraw before making this second payment will forfeit their entire $350 (USD) deposit.

A final tuition payment of $550 USD is due 10 weeks before the start date. If payment is not made at that time, the spot can be forfeited along with all money paid toward the tuition.

The Social Thinking Center in Santa Clara will send invoices for each payment and track all applicants’ payments and balances. The program tuition must be paid in full before attending the training.

Note: Due to the high demand for this program, there are no discounted fees or scholarships available.

Purchase Orders

We only accept purchase orders if the $350 deposit is paid upfront with a check that is attached to each application. The remaining balance may be paid with a purchase order if Social Thinking receives the remaining balance check 10 weeks before the training date. There are no exceptions for purchase orders to be paid after the scheduled training date. Delay receiving the lump sum check before the scheduled training date can result in losing the training spot!

Waitlisted Enrollment in Clinical Training Program

If all Clinical Training spots are sold out on your preferred dates:

• If you are eligible to participate in the Clinical Training Program but all spots have been filled for the current U.S. school year, you will be notified your deposit will be returned, and you will be placed on the waitlist.

Waitlist Policy

• If you’re placed on the waitlist, we will notify you when more training dates become available for you to consider. Any money you have paid so far will be applied to your future training. You have three years to schedule another training; after that time, you forfeit all money paid.

Note: If the cost of the Clinical Training Program increases between your placement on the waitlist and the date you attend, or if you change locations and the program cost is higher, you are responsible for paying the most current price of the training.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policies

If a person reschedules or cancels their participation for which they have been enrolled, it is difficult and time-consuming for our staff to fill that space from our waitlist, even months before the training. For this reason, we have strict policies regarding cancellations and requests to reschedule.

Rescheduling or changing training location:

• Before being assigned to a training date:If you would like to change your preferred training dates before you’ve been assigned to a date, we are happy to assist you at no charge. Please contact us at the information provided below.
• After being assigned to a training date: If you need to change your assigned training date and/or location, we will fulfill your request but must charge a $150 administrative fee. We will do our best to find you a spot that works for your schedule, but if none are available for the remaining school year, you will be placed on the waitlist. See “Waitlist Policy” for more details.

Cancelling/revoking your application

• Before being assigned to a training session: If you contact us to cancel or revoke your application before you’ve been assigned to a training session, we will refund your $350 deposit less a $50 administrative fee.
• After being assigned to training session
• If you contact us to cancel your participation after you’ve been assigned to a training session, you forfeit any money paid toward your program attendance (deposit plus additional payments).
• The only exception is if the cancellation is due to a medical necessity as evidenced by a note from your doctor. You will then be refunded in full minus a $150 administrative fee. Youmay elect to be placed on the waitlist for the current school year in which your session was to take place or you can request to re-register for our Clinical Training Program the following year. Our administrative staff will work with you to coordinate which possible dates you can attend the next year. All monies already paid, minus $150 in administrative fees, will apply to your alternative Clinical Training Program session. You have three years to schedule and attend another training. After that time, you forfeit all the money paid. If you do not complete your Clinical Training Program session within 3 years of your cancellation date, you forfeit your money.
• • Note: If the cost of the Clinical Training Program increases between your placement on the waitlist and the date you attend, or if you change locations and the program cost is higher, you are responsible for paying the most current price of the training.

In the case of an Act of Nature

If there is a significant Act of Nature such as severe weather conditions, an earthquake, tornado, pandemic, etc. that restricts your ability to travel to your Clinical Training session or requires us to cancel the event for the safety of all participants, we will work with you to reschedule your training, free of charge and the money you have paid will be applied to your future training. You will be responsible for all travel-related costs resulting from the rescheduling, including airline and hotel costs. You have three years to schedule and attend another training. After that time, you forfeit all the money paid. If you cannot reschedule, we understand and will refund all your monies paid, minus a $100 administrative fee to cover the time our administrative team has spent managing through the enrollment and payment process over time.