Do you have students in your social learning groups who struggle to think and behave flexibly? Jumpstart discussions about this critical social concept with a terrific YouTube recommendation and suggested activity from Anna Vagin, PhD.

Combining my social group activity “name a comfortable and uncomfortable feeling you had today” with conversation work going deep on topics. Most popular topics: taking Christmas decorations down, skiing, getting a VR headset and cousin sleepovers.

New for 2020: Anna's Tuesday Tips, short videos providing resources to clinicians, teachers and parents of students with

@socialthinking

challenges. Check out the intro video & subscribe not to miss any:

Here are 10 of my latest favorites. Enjoy, but remember to always preview before showing to students - make it a great match!

Last time, I talked about how annoying this world we live in can be. BUT, this time I face that fact that, much as I don't like to admit it, I sometimes annoy others. Sometimes people I love, and sometimes strangers, sometimes knowing that I am doing it (yikes!), and sometimes unknowingly. It can be hard to recognize and accept the fact that sometimes we annoy others.

Traffic. People talking on cell phones at the gym. Dogs getting sick indoors. That spinning ball of doom on my computer right when a presentation is due. We often find ourselves in situations when we feel annoyed - sometimes with other people and other times with the experiences in which we find ourselves.

It's 2019 and time is just whizzing by! As we prepare for students to return to classrooms and therapy sessions, now seems like a good time to share my latest and greatest finds. 2018 was a FABULOUS year for wonderful new videos to use for social learning - check these out before you go back in to your sessions!   

During our conversation I was reminded how versatile a good YouTube video can be for our work in social cognition. I think we all appreciate materials that are flexible - that we can use in different ways with different students. What I find, time and time again, is that a great YouTube provides us endless possibilities to support our students in engaging and effective learning. Let's explore!

I am very fortunate in my life - I love the work I do. After (so) many years of working, I realize that not everyone else does. Sure, there are days when I feel I can barely clean up another mess of toys, or plan out more visual supports, but the majority of my days are challenging and fulfilling. My work is exciting and fun. Lots of room to grow, lots of ideas to try, lots of conversations to have with social learners.