Social Thinking Therapy Group June/July 

What is Social Thinking? 

Social Thinking is a term coined by Michelle Garcia Winner, M.A., CCC-SLP who specializes in social skills development. Using metaphors, Winner's program helps young children to identify ways of thinking that are linked with emotions and behaviors. By identifying the "unthinkables" and correcting them with "thinkables," children learn to read social cues and respond accordingly.

Click to watch Michelle Garcia Winner talk about her Social Thinking Concept.

Social Thinking Group at ATS is considered an intermediary level outpatient group. The group is specifically designed to continue social and verbal exposures in a group setting, while fostering social awareness through the teaching of social concepts and problem-solving to promote flexible thinking and appropriate social skills. Social Thinking Group at ATS is intended for children who are ready for a more challening group experience, where group interaction and presentations in front of the group are expected. Therapeutic goals include habituating to speaking peer to peer, habituating to presenting in front of the group, strengthening peer interactions, and increasing social awareness and skills.

This group is ideal for children who tend to be strong-willed, rigid in their thinking, tend to avoid groups and/or have difficulty in groups, and who need general social skills practice to improve their relationships. As schools focus more on academic group work, group social skills are becoming more and more important.

This summer's Social Thinking Group will be facilitated by Theresa Gabby, LCSW. The group is considered Level 3 in our group therapy hierarchy at ATS. Click here to learn more about our group therapies and levels. 

Positive peer relationships are important for a child's social development , ego development, and identity formation. For children with selective mutism and/or social anxiety, or other anxieties, making friends can be challenging. We offer several groups at ATS to meet the needs of children with anxiety, at different stages of treatment.

Prerequisites

Social Thinking Therapy Group at ATS is considered an intermediary (Level 3) outpatient group.

The prerequisites are as follows:

• Must have completed sessions at ATS within the last three months, including at least one peer session (2:2 Child to Therapist ratio) or group session (3:1 Child to Therapist ratio).
• Demonstrates the ability to separate from parent after a 5-min warm-up during individual therapy session and group therapy session.
• Demonstrates the ability to respond directly to Group Therapist in the presence of a peer during the Preview Session (first session).
• Demonstrates the ability to participate in verbal interaction with peers when prompted by Group Therapist during the Preview Session (first group session).

If you are not sure if your child meets these prerequisites, talk it over with your child's therapist. If it has been over three months since your child has been in treatment at ATS, then a refresher session may be necessary to reacquaint your child with ATS.

If it has been over 6 months since your child has been in treatment at ATS, or your child has never received treatment at ATS, and you think this group is ideal for your child's needs, please contact ATS at 630-230-6505 extension 1 to set up an intake evaluation.

If you think an introductory group is more appropriate, then consider Come Play or Courage Club.

What to Expect

1 Preview + 5 Group Sessions = 6 Sessions, 90 min each

The purpose of a preview session is two-fold. First, it allows your child a chance to see what the group is about and see who else is registered before committing to the remaining 5 sessions of group. Secondly, it allows the clinician to assess whether or not your child is ready for this group. 

June/July Group: Wednesdays, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

6/14 (preview required), 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19

Group Agenda:

• Drop off: 5-min warm-up with parents
• 30 min: Social Concept Lesson
• 40 min: Activity to reinforce lesson
• 20 min: Awards and Funwork (Parents Attend)

Fees 

Group sessions are billed at $127.50 per 90-minute session. Upon registering, participants will be charged for 6 sessions (1 Preview Session and 5 Group Sessions = $765). If you cancel before the Preview Session, you will be refunded for the full 6 sessions less a $25 administrative fee.

If your child attends the Preview Session and it is determined that he/she needs more therapy before participating in this level group, you will be refunded the full amount less $127.50 for the Preview Session and no administrative fee will be applied. To cancel, call 630-230-6505 extension 2. Insurance CPT code is 90853. Statements will be provided to those who wish to submit to their insurance for reimbursement.

Click to read HIPAA form.

Can't make this group?

Join our mailing list to be informed of other ATS programs.