Autism Advocate Features Michelle Garcia Winner & Dr. Pamela Crooke

Using Social Thinking in the Mainstream Classroom | A Way for ALL Kids to Learn Social Concepts Together

October 2023

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP & Dr. Pamela Crooke, CCC-SLP are Featured in Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine

The Social Thinking Methodology originated in schools over 25 years ago in response to a lack of practical ways to explain different aspects of the social-emotional world to both neurotypical and neurodivergent students. Michelle Garcia winner, the founder of the Social Thinking Methodology, continues to update core strategies and tools in response to ongoing and valuable input from individuals with a range of social-emotional learning differences, disabilities and/or difficulties, as well as form mainstream teachers and learning specialists. Dr. Pamela Crooke joined forces with Michelle almost 17 years ago to further evolve components of the methodology. Tools from the Social Thinking Methodology have found their way into inclusion-based or mainstream classrooms since ALL students can benefit from a common vocabulary and understanding of the social and emotional world together.

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Resources to Teach Social Thinking Vocabulary Examples Shared in Autism Advocate

Social Thinking Vocabulary

As highlighted in Autism Advocate, Social Thinking Vocabulary helps to teach, in a literal and meaningful way, the "thinking" underlying what we "do and say" in classrooms and groups. Learn how Social Thinking Vocabulary can help your students.

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Free Related Articles to Teach Social Thinking Vocabulary

The Social Thinking–Social Competency Model (ST-SCM)
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Social Communication and the 4 Steps of Communication
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Social Perspective Taking & The 5 Steps of Being with Others
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Related Online Training

For Students to Watch

Social Situation Shorts

5 Key Social Thinking Vocabulary Concepts in Action

Get ready to engage social learning with Social Situation Shorts, a set of five video vignettes, featuring real kids in real-world social situations using their social thinking and social skills. These teaching videos are perfect for fostering discussions and engaging young students or clients with relatable social situations. Each video comes with two lesson plans to extend the learning, and some shorts feature a visit from Science Guy Brad for a little extra fun. Have fun exploring social concepts and skills for kids between the ages of 5-9+.

Note: This video is not eligible for continuing education credit.

Please note: Social Situation Shorts is not eligible for continuing education credit.

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What is Social Thinking?

Develop 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:

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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!
Parent of 9 Year Old
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.

Natalie, Resource Teacher
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.
Peggy, 3rd Grade Teacher
Mental Health & Clinicians
The Social Thinking Methodology is the philosophy that I ascribe to professionally. It serves as my guide through assessment and intervention.
Greg, School Psychologist
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.
Amy, SLP
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.

Tammy, Mom of 9 year-old boy
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.

Autistic Adult

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