What is the focus of the Social Thinking Methodology?
The Social Thinking® methodology focuses on the development of social learning and self-regulation through frameworks and strategies to develop greater social competencies. The methodology values and uses others professionals’ work that adheres to a social metacognitive treatment approaches. We adopt materials and strategies developed by Sarah Ward and Kristen Jacobsen to help teach executive functioning; Story Grammar Marker® by Maryellen Rooney Moreau to encourage social interpretations and social problem solving.
Treatment is based on the best evidence available and experienced professional staff, and we value feedback from our clients as well as their family members. The focus is on teaching strategies to enhance social compentencies.
Social thinking needs do not only reveal themselves during social interactions, but instead they are present during many academic tasks that require highly flexible abstract thinking such as written expression, reading comprehension of literature, organization and planning of assignments, and some students have tremendous difficulty learning math skills. Thus, persons with difficulties or differences relating to others interpersonally often have related academic struggles in the classroom particularly as they get older. Typically, we start to require more creative thinking, flexibility and organizational skills to succeed in the classroom curriculum starting in 3rd/4th grade. Some students begin to show struggles at that time, while other students don't show challenges until middle school. It is very common for students to develop academic problems only when they become older even when it is determined that this person is “quite bright” according to psycho-educational measures.
In adulthood, social thinking differences and/or challenges can be present in college, the workplace and in family life. Society is geared toward independence in both social and organizational functioning, with little to no support for those who are unable to navigate independently. Consequently, adults with social cognitive deficits are often plagued with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, leading to problems maintaining a job and developing and maintaining relationships in and outside their family.
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