Social Thinking and Pragmatics

Today was my first day at my new internship at a pediatric private practice.  I am looking forward to all of the learning that is to come this summer as I go from 2 clients to 13 :)  One of the sessions I sat in on today had some great tools that I wanted to share with all of you.  The client was working on social thinking and pragmatics (diagnosed with Asperger's) and the SLP I am working with used a wonderful book that I was unfamiliar with.  It's by Michelle Garcia Winner and is called You are a Social Detective! 

This book was great because it teaches kids pragmatics in language that they can understand.  The book talks about what is "expected" of them and what is "unexpected" and you can spend time asking the kiddo what types of actions, language or situations are expected or unexpected.  This type of language can be helpful for carryover in the home so that parent's can help to address these concepts later at home.  This is definitely going on my wish list!  Another neat tool that the SLP I am working with used was called Custom Boards found on the iTunes store.

She used this to make personalized social stories for her client.  I am also putting this app on my wish list for later, because it could be useful for a multitude of speech goals!  What do you all use to target social thinking and pragmatics? Have you found Michelle Winner's books or materials to be helpful?

Relieved and Thankful

I have been on a blogging hiatus the last week or so because I have been studying, studying and more studying for finals.  As of today I have officially finished my first year of graduate school and boy does it feel GREAT! My head is not so clear right now because all I can think about are the residual terms that are left swirling around my brain right now, like dysphonia, hypokinetic dysarthria, obturator and velopharyngeal port!  However, I am reminded of how thankful I am to be working towards a profession that I feel so compassionate about and that makes a difference in people's lives.  I found this quote a few weeks back and it really resonated (no I am not talking about hyper or hyponasality ;)) with me.  It is simply stated, but is wisdom to us all. 

All you speechies out there are probably cringing at the grammar there, but it just wouldn't be the same without that "good" :)

On another note I am excited to start a new chapter in my graduate career....Internships!  I start a summer internship in a week working in a pediatric private practice!  So look forward to some new posts and updates soon!