30: Social Campfires: Real-World Social Learning in the Great Outdoors with Renee Attaway Storer

In this episode, we talk with Renee Attaway Storer, a speech-language pathologist and long-time collaborator with Social Thinking, whose passion for social learning began during her years at The Parish School in Houston. Renee went on to open up the doors to a social learning program there and now trains professionals across North America, but her dream extended beyond the classroom. She envisioned a place where neurodivergent children and teens could practice social communication in authentic, everyday contexts. That vision came to life through a barrier-free social learning camp designed for autistic and AuDHD youth ages 8–16. In this supportive, natural environment, campers build meaningful friendships, develop independence, and learn regulation and social communication strategies alongside a team of SLPs, special educators, and social communication specialists. The camp allows social and functional life experiences to unfold in real time, giving teens and tweens the chance to work toward their own social goals, problem-solve naturally, and find a sense of belonging and community that carries with them beyond camp and back into school life. This camp model is an authentic way to bridge social connections in the backdrop of summer fun.To reach Renee, you can email her [email protected] or find her on the social thinking training page: https://www.socialthinking.com/speakers/renee-attaway-storer.In this episode, we talk with Renee Attaway Storer, a speech-language pathologist and long-time collaborator with Social Thinking, whose passion for social learning began during her years at The Parish School in Houston. Renee went on to open up the doors to a social learning program there and now trains professionals across North America, but her dream extended beyond the classroom. She envisioned a place where neurodivergent children and teens could practice social communication in authentic, everyday contexts. That vision came to life through a barrier-free social learning camp designed for autistic and AuDHD youth ages 8–16. In this supportive, natural environment, campers build meaningful friendships, develop independence, and learn regulation and social communication strategies alongside a team of SLPs, special educators, and social communication specialists. The camp allows social and functional life experiences to unfold in real time, giving teens and tweens the chance to work toward their own social goals, problem-solve naturally, and find a sense of belonging and community that carries with them beyond camp and back into school life. This camp model is an authentic way to bridge social connections in the backdrop of summer fun.To reach Renee, you can email her [email protected] or find her on the social thinking training page: https://www.socialthinking.com/speakers/renee-attaway-storer.Follow Unmasking Social at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube