You can’t beat it! What a way to learn and the fun was just built in. AAPPSPA members came to hear Michelle Garcia Winner speak on “Social Cognitive Deficits Across the School and Home Day” September 12 to the 15th. We experienced the wildly festive spirit of Mexico as we sailed the seas from Los Angeles to Ensenada Mexico. Day one we all had fun shopping, playing at the beach, horseback riding or visiting the “Blow Hole”. Fabulous dining and entertainment was there for all who came to learn. On day two AAPPSPA members were treated to a wonderful day. Michelle Garcia Winner was an outstanding speaker and the information she shared was practical for all speech pathologists. For most of us, interacting with other people comes naturally. However, individuals with social difficulties often lack this innate ability to think through and succeed in everyday social situations. For them, social thinking must be learned and practiced. We learned that, “Social thinking” is required prior to the development of social skills and Michelle Garcia Winner created the term to describe the treatment program she has used to help individuals with social cognitive challenges. We learn not only functional treatment strategies to use both at school and at home, but to better understand why these individuals with social cognitive deficits react and respond the way they do. The cruise was an outstanding way to meet other AAPPSPA members, learn and have fun with others!
