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Social Thinking Instruction

Social Thinking Instruction at the Enrichment Center

For many students, social relationships are very challenging. Some students have difficulty initiating social relationships, understanding others' perspectives, and successfully navigating social experiences in multiple contexts. Others misinterpret intentions of those around them and benefit from systematic social thinking instruction. Social thinking groups are led by two coaches and are offered during the fall and spring semesters.

Groups

Each group session consists of 50 minutes of instruction, followed by a 10-minute family informational period. Instruction is embedded within activities tailored to social cognition and relationship development. Instructional goals are developed for each group and individual progress is reported at the end of each instructional semester. Please contact nclements@sterncenter.org for more specific information regarding the format and content of groups.

Camp Compass

Camp Compass offers a unique, off-site, activity-based, social learning experience for children with difficulties navigating their way in social situations. Through fun, cooperative learning experiences, social coaches give individuals the social thinking tools to deal with the challenges of social interactions in multiple contexts. Summer sessions are offered each July. Click here to learn more about the 2010 schedule. Please contact the Stern Center at 802-878-2332 or nclements@sterncenter.org for more information.

Mentoring

Designed for professionals who have knowledge and some formal training in social cognition, mentorship provides the opportunity to secure the advanced skills needed for coaching your own social cognition groups. Click here to learn more. If you are interested in learning more about off-site opportunities, click here.

Professional Learning

Through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and video analysis, participants will be exposed to the process necessary to develop social thinking programs. Participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the specific challenges associated with social thinking weaknesses, learn explicit programming strategies, and receive an overview of current models of social thinking including the ILAUGH (www.socialthinking.com) and the Relationship Development Intervention Models (Gutstein). Click here to read a testmonial. Click here for Professional Learning Calendar.

Research

The Stern Center is currently conducting research to examine outcomes of small group social thinking instruction. Data will be analyzed this summer.

Social Thinking Evaluations

Social Thinking Evaluations provide parents and school teams with specific information important to developing educational programming. Each student's profile will be identified to best match intervention strategies.

Financial assistance is available.

Click here to download 2009 Social Thinking Provider's Conference packet of materials.