The Evolution of Social Thinking: A Conversation with Michelle Garcia Winner

In this episode, we explore how Social Thinking can be taught in a way that honors neurodiversity and respects each individual's identity. Instead of using a prescriptive, behavior-focused model, we talk about fostering social curiosity—getting to know each autistic person for who they are, not who we think they should be.

We discuss how perspective taking isn’t just about social interactions—it’s about understanding how we navigate the world, work together, and build relationships. Friendship starts with collaboration and shared experiences, not conformity.

Social Thinking, when used as intended, supports the development of metacognition, self-reflection, and executive functioning—all of which are critical to navigating everyday life. These skills can’t be overlooked, especially when helping students and clients set meaningful, realistic goals.

This approach acknowledges that we all share universal social experiences. Social anxiety, for example, is far more common than people admit—yet it's rarely addressed with compassion. The truth is, the human experience is demanding. We must be mindful not to place unrealistic expectations on our students and clients, especially those who already face challenges navigating a neurotypical world.

Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking Clinics embody this more human-centered approach. There, goals are created collaboratively, based on each individual’s lived experiences and desired outcomes. It’s not about changing people—it’s about empowering them to explore social connection in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

This episode is a reminder: social learning doesn’t need to be rigid. It can (and should) be respectful, flexible, and deeply human. You can find her and her work on socialthinking.com.                                

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