Applying Social Thinking and Teaching Executive Function Skills:
Where, When, How and with Whom?
Presented as a collaboration between Social Thinking® & ACT – Autism Community Training
- teachers (preschool, early education, general, special education);
- speech-language pathologists; occupational therapists; autism specialists;
- psychologists (clinical, educational, & developmental;
- behavioral consultants (including BCBAs);
- clinical and educational administrators;
- mental health specialists, particularly those in developmental practice;
- transition specialists and school counselors;
- parents who have a grounding in Social Thinking.
- Non-verbal Learning Disabilities
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social-Communication Disorder
Register Online or use our Registration Form (pdf)
About the Event:
The 1st Annual Canadian Social Thinking® Providers Conference is an opportunity for Canadian practitioners of Social Thinking to come together to learn, share ideas and network. As the international “Social Thinking movement” grows, the hope is for attendees to gain knowledge and avoid “re-creating the wheel” as they develop practical programs and services allowing for them to build on what others have shared.
Share Your Experience: Invitation to Present
A special feature of this event will be the opportunity for Canadian practitioners of Social Thinking to present on innovative ways that they have used Social Thinking Techniques in their practice. For details and to access the application to present, download this PDF.
Deadline to send your application to ACT is extended to June 4, 2014
Purpose of the Conference – Applying Social Thinking Strategies in Canada
- Encourage professionals who are running Social Thinking programs in schools, hospitals and private practice settings to come together to network, brainstorm and problem-solve the delivery of Social Thinking services.
- Report on research projects completed or currently in progress.
- Provide a means for sharing new and diverse topics related to Social Thinking and the treatment of individuals with social learning challenges.
- Provide an opportunity for professionals, individually or in teams to share their unique diagnostic, treatment or service delivery models related to Social Thinking.
- Share new data collection or qualitative assessment methods to assist professionals and students on the application of teaching Social Thinking concepts.
- Explore concerns of family members and provide Social Thinking strategies to use in the home.
Joanne Gerenser, Ph.D., CCC-SLP – Executive Director of Eden II Programs, Staten Island, NY
Joanne Gerenser received her Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science at the City University of New York Graduate Center. She is an adjunct Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College as well as Penn State University. Dr. Gerenser has authored a number of book chapters and articles on autism and has won numerous awards for her work with people with autism. She is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis and sits on a number of Professional Advisory Boards for programs serving children and adults with autism in the U.S. and abroad.
Sarah Ward, MS, CCC-SLP – Co-Director of Cognitive Connections, Concord, Massachusetts
Sarah Ward has over 15 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment and case management of children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain based learning difficulties and behavioral problems, including those with ASD. She is dedicated to developing and implementing innovative treatment strategies to remediate executive function challenges. A popular speaker, Sarah regularly presents locally, nationally and internationally on the topic of executive functions to a variety of professional and parent organizations, school and lay groups. and has presented to and consulted with almost 400 public and private schools in Massachusetts and across the United States.
Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP – Founder of Social Thinking, Social Thinking Centre, San Jose
Michelle Garcia Winner is a speech language pathologist who specializes in the treatment of students with social cognitive deficits at the Social Thinking Center, her clinic in San Jose, California. After years of working in schools and in private practice with a wide-range of individuals on the autism spectrum, Social Thinking was born out of necessity as a way to reach those “bright but socially clueless students” who needed more information than just what social skill to use. She coined the term “Social Thinking®” in the mid-1990s and continues to evolve the Social Thinking framework that today includes information, vocabulary, curriculum, and strategies that help individuals with social learning challenges become better social thinkers. Her years of experience demonstrated that lessons taught through Social Thinking could apply across a range of disorders that extends beyond ASD, to individuals with ADHD, nonverbal learning challenges, as well as those with head injuries or emotional learning challenges.
Pamela Crooke, Ph.D., CCC-SLP – Director of Research and Clinical Operations and Senior Therapist, Social Thinking Center in San Jose
Pamela J. Crooke earned her Ph.D. in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Washington in Seattle. Prior to joining the Social Thinking team in San Jose, she coordinated the Autism interdisciplinary clinical services at the Tucson Alliance for Autism in Arizona, served as a clinical and academic faculty member of three universities, and worked in the Arizona public schools for 15 years. Dr. Crooke speaks widely on Social Thinking internationally and has co-authored, with Michelle Garcia Winner, four award-winning books. Treatment efficacy in social and relational therapies for individuals with high-functioning autism remains Dr. Crooke’s primary area of interest.
Cost/Funding (Including Lunch)
| Date | Parents, Para-Pros & Students | Professionals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Rate Ends: | August 6, 2014 | $275 | $350 |
| Regular Rate: | August 7 – September 8, 2014 | $325 | $375 |
| Late Rate Begins: | September 9, 2014 | $350 | $400 |
Bursaries
Bursaries for low-income participants and/or those travelling from outside their home regions to an event are available for B.C. residents. Call ACT’s office for more information, review our bursary policies or email [email protected] with your request prior to registering. ACT provided $12,000 in bursaries in 2013 and gratefully accepts donations to our bursary fund.
Autism Funding
Parents who receive Autism Funding may use 20% of the total for equipment, books, training and travel costs. ACT’s live and online events and the books we sell at our book table are all considered eligible expenses by the Autism Funding Branch. More Autism Funding Information >
Workshop Location:
Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre
7311 Westminster Highway
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
View Map >
Conveniently located in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, this venue is just 5 minutes from the Vancouver International Airport and only a 20 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. From the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal, the hotel is a 30 minute drive. This venue is easily accessible by public transit, including the Canada Line SkyTrain. Please visit the Translink website for directions and schedules for the West Coast Express, SkyTrain, Seabus and bus routes.
For more information about navigating your trip around Vancouver, including recommendations for restaurants and attractions, please visit the Tourism Vancouver website.
Hotel Information:
The Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre is offering ACT guests an exclusive rate of $119.00 a night during the conference. This venue offers a free shuttle to YVR airport for all guests staying in the hotel and secure overnight parking facilities.
Guests can reserve a room at the hotel by calling 604-278-5555 or toll-free at 1-800-663-2878. Please mention “Autism Community Training Sept 17-18” to receive this special rate. The deadline for this offer is August 15, 2014.
Workshop Schedule:
Day 1 – Wednesday September 17th, 2014
| 7:45 – 8:30 | Registration (Coffee Served) |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Announcements by Michelle Garcia Winner and Pam Crooke |
| 9:00 – 10:15 | Session 1 Keynote with Joanne Gerenser & Michelle Garcia Winner ‘ABA and Social Thinking – What is the Connection?’ |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Morning Break (Coffee Served) |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Session 2 Keynote Continued with Joanne Gerenser & Michelle Garcia Winner |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch – Provided |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | Session 3 Canadian Social Thinking Presentations |
| 1:45 – 2:30 | Session 4 Canadian Social Thinking Presentations |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Break |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Session 5 Wrap up with Michelle Garcia Winner & Pamela Crooke |
Day 2 – Thursday September 18th, 2014
| 7:45 – 8:30 | Registration (Coffee Served) |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Announcements with Michelle Garcia Winner and Pam Crooke |
| 9:00 – 10:15 | Session 1 Keynote by Sarah Ward: “Cutting Edge Strategies to Teach Executive Functioning” |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Morning Break |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Session 2 Keynote by Sarah Ward (continued) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch – Provided |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Session 3 Keynote by Michelle Garcia Winner |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Break |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Session 4 Canadian Social Thinking Presentations |
Continue the Conversation Online
We are working to build an online community space (the AOLC) for you to share stories, successes and to reflect and learn. It can provide a learning and community space that you can access at a time and location that is convenient for you.You may wish to be an active participant, posing and answering questions, encouraging others to share their stories, and actively contributing to the creation of a safe and welcoming environment. You may wish to browse and take your time before engaging with the online community.
- Login to the online community (AOLC)
- Retrieve your existing ACT Online Account
* When you register online for the first time you are automatically given an ACT Online Account. Use this account to participate in the ACT Online Learning Community, register for more live events or subscribe to online videos.