Social Thinking Publications & Frameworks
A Methodology to Infuse Evidence-Based Practices
The Social Thinking Methodology embraces what the literature tells us about working directly with individuals with social learning differences, difficulties, and disabilities. Our work is designed to promote the use of visual supports, modeling, naturalistic teaching, and self-management. Many components of the methodology fit well into the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and the research-based implementation framework of Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS). And while PBIS is not an approach, it is a framework that encourages schools to consider the uptake of a variety of practices where the "mutually beneficial relationship between academic and social behavior student success is highlighted (Chard, Harn, Sugai, & Horner, 2008; Sugai, Horner, & Gresham, 2002).
Peer-Reviewed Studies
Browse the latest peer-reviewed studies below or click through to see all publications including thesis, dissertations, studies and other published articles.
Crooke, P. J., & Winner, M. G. (2022, July). Social Thinking Metacognitive Strategies to Support Self-Determined Social Goals in Autistic Youth. In Seminars in Speech and Language (Vol. 43, No. 04, pp. 277-298). Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
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Tarshis, N, Winner, M.G & Crooke, P. (2020). What Does It Mean to Be Social? Defining the Social Landscape for Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 1-10.
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Nowell, S. W., Watson, L. R., Boyd, B., & Klinger, L. G. (2019). Efficacy Study of a Social Communication and Self-Regulation Intervention for School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 50(30), 416-433.
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Baker-Ericzén, M.J., Fitch, M., Kinnear, M., Jenkins, M. M., Smith, L., Montano, G., Twamley, E., Crooke, P, Garcia Winner, M., Feder, J., & Leon, J. (2017). Development of the Supported Employment, Comprehensive Cognitive Enhancement and Social Skills (SUCCESS) program for adults on the autism spectrum: results of initial study. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice, 22(1), 6-19.
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Crooke, P. & Garcia Winner, M. (2017). Social Thinking® in the Landscape of Evidence-Based Practices. Sage Journals: Word of Mouth, 28(5), 5-8.
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Crooke, P.J., & Winner, M. G. (2016). Social Thinking Methodology: Evidence-Based or Empirically Supported? A Response to Leaf et al. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(4), 403-408.
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Crooke, P.J., Olswang, L., & Winner, M.G. (2016). Thinking Socially: Teaching Social Knowledge to Foster Social Behavioral Change. Topics in Language Disorders, 36(3), 284-298.
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Crooke, P.J., & Olswang, L. (2015). Practice-Based Research: Another Pathway for Closing the Research-Practice Gap. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 58(6), S1871-S1882.
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Other Peer-Reviewed Studies
van Mourik, M., Marshall, J. M., Hopkins, L., Kehoe, M., & Whitehead, R. (2024). Building Parental Capacity: Outcomes of a Therapeutic Parent Group Run Concurrently with a Social Skills Group for Their Young Person. Adolescents, 4(3), 375-385.
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Clavenna-Deane, Beth & Pearson, Mary & Hansen, Blake. (2020). The Impact of Social Communication on Employment Success for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 68, 85.
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Müller, E., Cannon, L.R., Kornblum, C., Clark, J., & Powers, M. (2016). Description and Preliminary Evaluation of a Curriculum for Teaching Conversational Skills to Children With High-Functioning Autism and Other Social Cognition Challenges. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 47(3), 191-208.
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Lee, K. Y. S., Crooke, P.J., Lui, A.L.Y, Kan, P.P.K, Luke, K.L, Mak, Y.M, Cheung, P.M.P, Cheng, L., & Wong, I. (2015). The outcome of a social cognitive training for mainstream adolescents with social communication deficits in a Chinese community. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 63(2), 201-223.
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Winner, M.G. & Crooke, P.J. (2014). Executive Functioning and Social Pragmatic Communication Skills: Exploring the Threads in Our Social Fabric. Perspectives on Language Learning and Education, 16(2), 62-69.
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Volkmar, F., Siegel, M., Woodbury-Smith, M., King, B., McCracken, J., State, M. (2014). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(2), 237-257.
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Crooke, P.J. & Winner, M.G. (2012). Social Thinking®: A Developmental Treatment Approach for Students with Social Learning/Social Pragmatic Challenges. Originally published: Perspectives on Language Learning and Education, 16(2), 62-69.
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Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta‐analysis of school‐based universal interventions. Child development, 82(1), 405-432.
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Winner, M.G. & Crooke, P.J. (2009). Social Thinking: A training paradigm for professionals and treatment approach for individuals with social learning/social pragmatic challenges. Perspectives on Language Learning and Education, 16(2); 62-69.
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Crooke, P.J., Hendrix R., and Rachman J. (2008). Brief Report: Measuring the effectiveness of teaching social thinking to children with asperger syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(3) pp 581-91.
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Koning, C, Magill-Evans, J., Volden, J., Dick, B. (2008). Efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy-based social skills intervention for school-aged boys with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7(10), 1282-1290.
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Winner, M.G. (2002). Assessment of social skills for students with asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 21(1-2), 73-80.
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Conceptual & Teaching Frameworks
Social Thinking Conceptual Frameworks are built upon research-based theoretical concepts, constructs, and therapies in a manner that blends or scaffolds the information to help parents and professionals organize their thinking about social learning (social cognition). In turn, this fosters their own ability to conceptualize their students’ or children’s experiences and challenges. The Conceptual Frameworks are not to be used directly with the students/clients.
Teaching Frameworks evolve from the Conceptual Frameworks and transform evidence-based concepts into a concrete and structured framework that can be introduced to and used with students.
Teaching Frameworks help students (and adults) observe that everything they are learning about the social world applies to a larger, more holistic social framework. These frameworks are used to help the parent/professional understand key concepts AND act as a teaching tool with the client/student.
Participate in Research
Social Situation Mapping
Social Situation Mapping (SSM) offers social metacognitive strategies to teach individuals about the specific relationship between behaviors, others' perspectives, others' actions (consequences), and the student's own emotions about those around them. SSM is a visual tool that displays these abstract concepts through a flow chart. Intended for ages 8+, this strategy is most effective for students with solid language skills.
We Thinkers! Series
We Thinkers series consists of two volumes with detailed lesson plans, in-classroom structured activities, educational plan goals, and learn-at-home family letters. Both volumes introduce key Social Thinking concepts and vocabulary for ages 4-7.
The Zone of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation curriculum is geared toward helping students gain skills in consciously regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem solving abilities. Using a cognitive behavior approach, the curriculum's learning activities are designed to help students recognize when they are in different states called "Zones."
Links to Other Evidence
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders is the leading peer-reviewed, scholarly periodical focusing on all aspects of autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities.
ADHD and National Institutes of Mental Health
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood brain disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood.
INSAR
The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) is a scientific and professional organization devoted to advancing knowledge about autism spectrum disorders. INSAR was formed in 2001 and is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors who oversee all functions of the Society.
SFARI
SFARI's mission is to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance. Launched in 2003, SFARI is a scientific initiative within the Simons Foundation's suite of programs and is its only program focusing on the science underlying a medical condition.
The Informed SLP
The Informed SLP searches the top speech–language pathology journals each month, looking for articles that are immediately relevant to daily practice. They then read and reduce that research down to plain-language reviews of only the most clinically-applicable pieces.
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation began as a family movement in 1981 and has become the world’s leading private funder of mental health research. Since 1987 they have awarded more than $394 million to fund more than 5,700 grants.