WHAT IS SOCIAL THINKING?
Social Thinking® is our innate ability to think through and apply information to succeed in situations that require social knowledge. Social thinking is a form of intelligence that is key to learning concepts and integrating information across a variety of settings; academic, social, home and community. Limited abilities for learning and /or applying socially relevant information can be considered a social thinking learning disability.
In adulthood, social thinking challenges are ever 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 children and adults with social cognitive deficits are often plagued with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, leading to problems maintaining a job, developing and maintaining relationships in and outside their family.
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Classes begin in March 2012
Dates and times will be set as classes fill
Social Thinking & Life Skills Groups
Elementary School (8-11 years),Middle School (11-14 years), High School (14-18 years), & Post High School (18-35 years)
The Social Thinking and Life Skills groups focus on social communication skills needed for everyday life. Meetings are facilitated by a certified professional and participants will learn about the concept of perspective taking - the ability to understand another person’s point of view - and why specific social skills are required in different situations. Specific topics that will be addressed include (but are not limited to) nonverbal communication, conversational skills, and problem solving techniques. All groups will meet at TAFA, except for occasional field trips for which transportation is not provided. The groups will be limited to 8 students and will meet weekly for one hour for eight weeks.
Fee $175 Instructor: Allison King, MS, CCC-SLP
*** New Group in Oro Valley
By popular request, we are offering Social Thinking and Life Skills Groups for all ages in Oro Valley (availability is dependent upon demand). If you are interested in this service please contact TAFA.
Social Thinking® for Children
The group will address social thinking and social reciprocity in a group setting for children 8 – 11 years of age with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or social perspective taking challenges. The group will be limited to 4 students and will meet Thursdays 4:15 – 5:15PM for 8-weeks. Intake required.
Fee: $225 Instructors: Dr. Kacey Chandler, PhD and Allison Mayfield, MS-ED.
Social Skills for Young Adults
16-30 years
This group will focus on teaching social skills to young adults with social learning challenges and social vulnerability. Meetings are facilitated by a certified professional and topics will include rules and guidelines for interacting with others, developing appropriate relationships, as well as basic problem solving skills. This group is best suited to individuals with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities or those who benefit from a slower paced environment.
Fee: $175
Social Thinking for Girls
Middle School (10-14 years)
Social Thinking for Girls will focus on social communication skills important for middle school girls with a social learning challenge. Meetings are facilitated by a certified professional and participants will learn about the concept of perspective taking - the ability to understand another person’s point of view - and why specific social skills are required in different situations. Specific topics that will be addressed include (but are not limited to) nonverbal communication, conversation skills, and problem solving techniques. All groups will meet at TAFA, except for occasional field trips for which transportation is not provided. The group will meet weekly for one hour for eight weeks.
Fee $175
Healthy Relationships I, II, III
High School (14-18 years) & Post High School (18-30 years)
The Healthy Relationships groups are designed to assist young adults (14 and up) with social cognitive challenges to understand relationships, identify personal boundaries, and recognize the dynamics that characterize both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Meetings are facilitated by a certified professional. Healthy Relationships I is the first session of this program and is most appropriate for individuals who have not participated in previous Healthy Relationships Classes. Healthy Relationships II and III is most appropriate for individuals who have completed at least one session of the Healthy Relationships classes. All groups will meet at TAFA. The group will be limited to 6 students and will meet weekly for one hour for eight weeks.
Fee: $175 Instructor: Allison King, MS, CCC-SLP
Other Classes That Will Be Made Available Throughout The Year.
Navigating the Tucson Community
16-30 years
This group will focus on functional life skills needed to live independently in the Tucson community. Topics will include (but are not limited to) learning the city bus system, money management, and identifying helpful resources in the community. Meetings are facilitated by a certified professional and will occur at TAFA and at different locations in Tucson (transportation to these locations is not provided).
Vocational Skills Workshop
18 years +
This group will target young adults who wish to obtain and/or maintain gainful employment. Meetings are facilitated by a certified professional and topics will include resume development, job searching techniques, application completion, and interviewing skills, as well as demonstrating appropriate social communication behaviors in the workplace.
Organizational Skills Training
10 years +
This service will provide individualized training and assistance for individuals who struggle with time management, self-motivation, prioritizing, and task completion/follow-through. Sessions will occur in the home with a certified professional and will provide concrete strategies and organizational systems relevant for individuals in middle school, high school, college, and the working world.
- If you are currently enrolled in Social Thinking Groups at TAFA please contact Allison King, SLP directly allisonlking01@gmail.com
- A onetime intake ($15) is required before being placed in a group or class
- Payments are due before the beginning of the first class. Payments may be split into two payments. $100 before class starts and the remainder 4 weeks after the class begins
- Limited financial assistance available
- TAFA is an out of network provider and does not submit insurance claims
- TAFA is not a DDD provider
Social Thinking® is a trademark of the Social Thinking Center in San Jose, California. All TAFA professional staff have been trained by Michelle Garcia-Winner and/or Dr. Pam Crooke and have attended the Social Thinking Mentor Program.
