Redefining Social Skills

Hallie and Gabby Pyzza of Pyzza Speech Therapy chat about Social skills instruction focusing on connection, not correction.

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie welcomes Gabby Pyzza, a passionate SLP specializing in social skills for older students. Gabby shares her inspiring journey from feeling overwhelmed in her first job to developing a comprehensive blueprint for teaching conversation skills. She offers practical strategies for engaging students, including the use of conversation starters and visual aids, while emphasizing the importance of fostering genuine connections. Whether you're looking to enhance your social skills sessions or seeking inspiration, this episode is filled with valuable insights and heartwarming success stories!

Bullet Points to Discuss: 

• Importance of teaching conversation skills for connection.
• Shift towards neurodiversity-affirming social skills practices.
• Allowing students to engage in diverse conversation topics.
• Social skills' impact on students' lives beyond the classroom.
• Tips for visualizing conversations to improve understanding.

Here’s what we learned: 

• Social skills instruction can lead to profound changes in students' social interactions.
• Building genuine connections is essential for effective communication.
• Visual aids may improve understanding and retention of skills.
• Respecting student preferences while promoting engagement is crucial.

Learn more about Gabby Pyzza: 

Website: https://www.pyzzaspeechtherapy.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyzzaspeechtherapy/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pyzzaspeechtherapy 

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

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Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets