PAM ELY WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL THINKING

Expert on Social Thinking to offer Workshop in Wellesley

Pam Ely, speech and language pathologist and founder and director of the Ely Center, will facilitate the workshop: Social Thinking: Infusing Social Thinking Skills Across All Settings through a Language Processing Perspective on Monday, February 13, 2012, 7 pm to 9 pm, Wellesley Middle School Library, 50 Kingsbury Street.

Social Thinking is one’s ability to be perceptive, take the perspective of others, and use language in context, also known as pragmatic language.  This seminar is focused on the impact of infusing the basic principles of social thinking into all aspects of a child’s life; home, school and community.  These areas will encompass those factors which impact students’ academic and social performance (sensory needs, executive function skills, and language processing abilities), and the opportunity to practice strategies and techniques that aid in fostering social success. This workshop will train and help parents with strategies for building real communication and social skills with their children.

Ms. Ely, together with Elsa Abele conceptualized the idea of a center for social communication development that meets the varied needs of students.  She has over twelve years experience in the public schools as well as in more clinical settings.  Experience includes the Newton Public Schools, as well as an instructor in the Autism Spectrum Certificate Program at Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, NH. She is a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) where she holds clinical certification, and the Massachusetts Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA).

The Ely Center has provided training in the past to staff of the Wellesley Public Schools.  This workshop will be similar to those offered to WPS teachers, but with a parent perspective.  The event is sponsored by the Wellesley Public Schools and the Wellesley PAC, a district-wide, independent organization of parents and caregivers of children in Wellesley working together to enhance the education of students who learn differently.  The event is free and open to the public, and registration is recommended at wellesleypacevent@yahoo.com