Social Think Tanks
Summer 2015
Call for group times and pricing WHAT IS SOCIAL THINKING? “Social Thinking” is a term coined by Michelle Garcia Winner which describes the ability to consider your own and others’ thoughts, emotions, beliefs, intentions, knowledge, and experiences to help interpret and respond to the information in your mind through your social behavioral interactions. Basically, social thinking is the way people figure out how to ‘share space’ with others whether they are interacting or not. WHICH tank fits your social thinker? Thinking about ME tank: This think tank is for Challenged Social Communicators with a moderate language impairment. These social thinkers are literal and visual learners. They have little self awareness and a short attention span in groups. The thinking about me think tank is for small groups (no more than 3 children). Thinking about YOU tank: This think tank is for Emerging Social Communicators. These social thinkers typically present with mild to moderate language impairments. They have a limited emotional vocabulary and appear aloof. They don’t notice that they’re different and are usually very friendly and seek out the company of others without understanding boundaries or the motivation/intentions of others. This think tank is learning how to monitor and adjust behaviors based on the thoughts and feelings of others. Thinking about NUANCE: These social thinkers have the ‘rules’ down pat. They make eye-‐
contact, say ‘hello,’ please, and thank you. . The nuance challenged really want to have friends and be social. They may have developed avoidance strategies and say they ‘don’t care’ about making friends or what others think. This think tank is a safe place to learn how we interpret and respond to each other in rapidly changing social contexts.