The Social Thinking Methodology: Emotional Side of Communication with Michelle Garcia Winner

Join Michelle in this engaging episode of SLP Full Disclosure as she welcomes the Michelle Garcia Winner, a renowned speech language pathologist and the creator of the Social Thinking methodology. Together, they take a deep dive into the vital role of social competencies in effective communication and explore how Social Thinking goes beyond traditional social skills training to address emotional awareness and social observation.Michelle Garcia Winner shares the story behind developing this groundbreaking approach and explains how it helps individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum, build meaningful social behaviors and emotional connections. The episode also examines the impact of social anxiety, the challenges introduced by COVID-19, and how speech language pathologists can apply Social Thinking strategies in practical, everyday scenarios.With warmth and expertise, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable advice for SLPs, educators, and anyone passionate about fostering connection through communication.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Social Thinking and its significance03:11 Michelle Garcia-Winner’s inspiring professional journey06:07 Exploring the connection between social observation and anxiety09:00 Unpacking the role of Social Thinking in communication11:50 Understanding social anxiety and how it affects communication15:11 The distinction between Social Thinking and social skills training18:03 How emotions influence social communication20:48 Building social competencies through the Social Thinking approach24:04 COVID-19's effects on social skill development26:57 Practical applications for SLPs working with diverse populations30:11 Advice for professionals and next steps in Social Thinking33:06 Closing thoughts and resources for further explorationTune in for a thought-provoking discussion packed with insights, advice, and inspiration to enhance how we approach communication. Whether you're a speech language pathologist, an educator, or a parent, this episode will equip you with tools and knowledge to better understand and support social-emotional learning. Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Explore more about Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking methodology and access helpful resources at SocialThinking.com and connect on social:Facebook InstagramLinkedInXPinterestYouTubeAbout Michelle Garcia WinnerMichelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP, is the founder and CEO of Think Social Publishing, Inc, (a.k.a. Social Thinking). She is a globally recognized thought leader, author, speaker, and social-cognitive therapist who is dedicated to fostering awareness and development of our social-emotional and organizational selves, whether neurodivergent and neurotypical. Across her 30+ year career she has created numerous evidence-based strategies, treatment frameworks, and curricula to help family members as well as teachers, counselors, therapists and other types of interventionists, foster the development of social and organizational competencies and problem solving in those they support.Her methodology is most effective with children and adults who have a solid command of expressive and receptive language. Michelle and her team continually update the Social Thinking® Methodology based on the latest research and clinical insights. Learn more about the show: SLP Full Disclosure Podcast Level up your career today! Connect with a recruiter!Support for every step. Learn more about AMN Healthcare's EAP Program. Share the opportunity and refer a friend today! Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! WebsiteInstagram YouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyPowered by AMN Healthcare