The Social World of Adolescence

Susan Brennan, CCC-SLP
Lead Developer, Social Development Intervention (SDI)
December 4, 2013

To paraphrase Haley Moss, a young woman with ASD, adolescence is not for the faint of heart. For those with social communication differences adolescence can be an extra messy and confusing world to navigate. Susan Brennan discusses the potential challenges of adolescent social world, the power of tapping individuals’ strengths and interests to motivate social engagement, and the potential for adults to illuminate both social expectations and social relevance in order to promote self-advocacy.

Susan Ehlerman Brennan is a speech-language pathologist, writer, presenter and mother. She works with individuals with social cognitive challenges, their families, and professionals to foster dynamic communication, build awareness of cognitive differences (vs. deficits), and encourage interest & strength-based supports. For the ASD Nest program, Susan developed Social Development Intervention (SDI): a developmental and social cognitive language intervention for students with ASD. As co-director of The Social Underground she designs social groups for kids, and consults to museums and schools on autism and social cognition. She is a founding member of The SIMPLE Initiative: a collaboration between autistic individuals and their neurotypical allies. Susan was a guest lecturer at Hunter College for six years and presents around the country.