Teaching Social Thinking Through Storybooks at OrbRom Center

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, social-emotional learning is not a side lesson—it’s foundational. One of the tools we use to help children better understand emotions, perspective-taking, and self-regulation is the book Thinking Thoughts and Feeling Feelings from the We Thinkers! series. This resource is especially valuable for children with autism, ADHD, or social communication challenges.

Books like these turn abstract social concepts into relatable, visual, and structured lessons that children can grasp and apply in real life.

Why Social Thinking Matters

Social thinking is the ability to consider your own and others’ thoughts, emotions, and intentions in order to interpret and respond to social situations. This skill is essential not only for building friendships but also for functioning in group settings like classrooms.

For children who struggle with:

• Emotional regulation

• Understanding social cues

• Navigating peer relationships

• Expressing empathy

… targeted story-based lessons can be transformative.

How We Use Social Stories in Therapy and Classrooms

At OrbRom Center, we use Thinking Thoughts and Feeling Feelings as part of our social-emotional curriculum. Lessons are broken down into:

• Reading and discussing characters’ emotions

• Role-playing different perspectives

• Drawing connections between the story and the child’s daily experiences

This approach gives students the opportunity to practice and reflect in a safe and guided environment. It’s especially effective in small groups or one-on-one therapy settings.

For Children With Autism and Social Delays

Children with autism spectrum disorder often face unique challenges with understanding others’ emotions or responding appropriately in social situations. Tools like the We Thinkers! books are written specifically for this population, making complex concepts more accessible through visuals and repetition.

At OrbRom, our team of therapists and special educators use these books to support communication goals, social behavior targets, and emotional development.

Explore our Special Needs Intensive Intervention services