Social Thinking Vocabulary

When a difficult situation calls for stronger emotions and more help

Facing away from the group and not working as part of the group

When a "glitch" or slight challenge can be worked out if you stay calm and flexible

Following a rule all the time and not being able to understand small differences in how people say things

When your your brain is thinking about the same thing as the group

Focusing your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, and brain on the group in order to listen and show you're listening

Facing the group and working as part of the group

When you use your eyes, ears and brain to figure out what others are doing, what they are planning to do next, and what they mean by what they say

Being able to understand different points of view to interpret verbal and nonverbal information

When your body is part of a group but your brain is not thinking about the same thing as the group

Being a good observer to see clues about what other people might be thinking

Focusing on your own needs, wants and interests

When you don't think about what you know or see and then make random guesses without having information

When you use all your tools to figure things out and then make guesses based on what we know about the world

Understanding the hidden rules in different situations and following them to keep other people thinking good thoughts about us

Failing to follow hidden rules or stated rules which may cause people to have "uncomfortable" or "weird" thoughts

Being aware that people around us have thoughts and feelings and trying to understand the perspectives and intentions of others.

Cooperating in a group and making compromises instead of focusing on your own wants and interests