Our Story
Our Story
Our Story
Our Story
Our Story
About Social Optics
About Social Optics
About Social Optics
About Social Optics
About Social Optics
It all began in a classroom
In 2015, Carolyn was working with one of her favorite teachers, Tonya S., to create a social skills class for high school students navigating both general education and special education settings. She set out to find a neurodiverse-affirming program that was both well-researched, evidence-based, and celebrated individuality. The struggle was real. It wasn't long before Carolyn, Tonya and the students were expressing their frustration.
It all began in a classroom
In 2015, Carolyn was working with one of her favorite teachers, Tonya S., to create a social skills class for high school students navigating both general education and special education settings. She set out to find a neurodiverse-affirming program that was both well-researched, evidence-based, and celebrated individuality. The struggle was real. It wasn't long before Carolyn, Tonya and the students were expressing their frustration.
It all began in a classroom
In 2015, Carolyn was working with one of her favorite teachers, Tonya S., to create a social skills class for high school students navigating both general education and special education settings. She set out to find a neurodiverse-affirming program that was both well-researched, evidence-based, and celebrated individuality. The struggle was real. It wasn't long before Carolyn, Tonya and the students were expressing their frustration.
It all began in a classroom
In 2015, Carolyn was working with one of her favorite teachers, Tonya S., to create a social skills class for high school students navigating both general education and special education settings. She set out to find a neurodiverse-affirming program that was both well-researched, evidence-based, and celebrated individuality. The struggle was real. It wasn't long before Carolyn, Tonya and the students were expressing their frustration.
Student voices matter
Carolyn listened to the needs, wants, and ideas of her students to create a neurodiverse-affirming program that fit their requirements.
Students asked for age appropriate graphics, opportunities to be the expert, and tools, not skills, that could grow with them.
Carolyn got to work!
Student voices matter
Carolyn listened to the needs, wants, and ideas of her students to create a neurodiverse-affirming program that fit their requirements.
Students asked for age appropriate graphics, opportunities to be the expert, and tools, not skills, that could grow with them.
Carolyn got to work!
Student voices matter
Carolyn listened to the needs, wants, and ideas of her students to create a neurodiverse-affirming program that fit their requirements.
Students asked for age appropriate graphics, opportunities to be the expert, and tools, not skills, that could grow with them.
Carolyn got to work!
Student voices matter
Carolyn listened to the needs, wants, and ideas of her students to create a neurodiverse-affirming program that fit their requirements.
Students asked for age appropriate graphics, opportunities to be the expert, and tools, not skills, that could grow with them.
Carolyn got to work!
Student voices became Social Optics
After several iterations, she found a formula that worked and began implementing the curriculum in classrooms. Research showed that it worked, but the problem was that it only helped empower the students in her class, not the thousands of other students that need help. She decided to scale her product by building a web app accessible to people of all backgrounds and generations. And the rest is history that we are building together right now…
Student voices became Social Optics
After several iterations, she found a formula that worked and began implementing the curriculum in classrooms. Research showed that it worked, but the problem was that it only helped empower the students in her class, not the thousands of other students that need help. She decided to scale her product by building a web app accessible to people of all backgrounds and generations. And the rest is history that we are building together right now…
Student voices became Social Optics
After several iterations, she found a formula that worked and began implementing the curriculum in classrooms. Research showed that it worked, but the problem was that it only helped empower the students in her class, not the thousands of other students that need help. She decided to scale her product by building a web app accessible to people of all backgrounds and generations. And the rest is history that we are building together right now…
Student voices became Social Optics
After several iterations, she found a formula that worked and began implementing the curriculum in classrooms. Research showed that it worked, but the problem was that it only helped empower the students in her class, not the thousands of other students that need help. She decided to scale her product by building a web app accessible to people of all backgrounds and generations. And the rest is history that we are building together right now…
What Sets Us Apart…
What Sets Us Apart…
Social Optics is built on the trauma-response model and focuses on social cognitive processing.
Instead of teaching discrete skills, we empower teens with social tools they can apply to any situation. This approach prepares them to face new situations with confidence. We can't predict every decision or situation that each individual will be faced with. Having tools to deconstruct and create novel responses in any setting is true freedom and agency.
A bonus of our approach is that it can not only be used to help neurodivergent teenagers, but the framework can help all teens as they develop into adults and figure out who they are.
Social Optics is built on the trauma-response model and focuses on social cognitive processing.
Instead of teaching discrete skills, we empower teens with social tools they can apply to any situation. This approach prepares them to face new situations with confidence. We can't predict every decision or situation that each individual will be faced with. Having tools to deconstruct and create novel responses in any setting is true freedom and agency.
A bonus of our approach is that it can not only be used to help neurodivergent teenagers, but the framework can help all teens as they develop into adults and figure out who they are.
NSF's VITAL Prize Challenge Winner
NSF's VITAL Prize Challenge Winner
Social Optics is proud to have placed 3rd in NSF's VITAL Prize Challenge. Our platform is dedicated to empowering neurodivergent students, parents, and educators by cultivating critical social thinking lenses.
Social Optics is proud to have placed 3rd in NSF's VITAL Prize Challenge. Our platform is dedicated to empowering neurodivergent students, parents, and educators by cultivating critical social thinking lenses.
Certified
Certified
Social Optics is built by someone with classroom experience
Social Optics is built by someone with classroom experience
Social Optics is built by someone with classroom experience
Research and design matters. Social Optics is built on the promise of providing a high-quality education you will be proud to provide to your students.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
We built our program using the UDL principals. That means we designed our instruction to help ALL students by connecting through:
Engagement
Representation
Action & Expression
We built our program using the UDL principals. That means we designed our instruction to help ALL students by connecting through:
Engagement
Representation
Action & Expression
Built by a Neurodiverse Community
Built by a Neurodiverse Community
From the very start, everyone has had a seat at the table. Users contribute as much as our curriculum writers and graphic artists.
We hire teams that bring as many unique perspectives as our students. Exceptional Minds, a non-profit academy and production studio for people with autism, is just one of our partners.
From the very start, everyone has had a seat at the table. Users contribute as much as our curriculum writers and graphic artists.
We hire teams that bring as many unique perspectives as our students. Exceptional Minds, a non-profit academy and production studio for people with autism, is just one of our partners.
9 Researched Evidence Based Practices (EBP's)
9 Researched Evidence Based Practices (EBP's)
Technology Aided Instruction and Intervention
Direct Instruction
Social Narratives
Modeling
Video Modeling
Social Skills Training
Task Analysis
Visual Supports
Scripting
Technology Aided Instruction and Intervention
Direct Instruction
Social Narratives
Modeling
Video Modeling
Social Skills Training
Task Analysis
Visual Supports
Scripting
Social Optics is part of a research study with the University of Montana MIND Lab. The mission of the MIND (Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity) Lab at the University of Montana is to investigate the effectiveness of evidenced-based practices for people that experience autism and neurodiversity across the lifespan and explore pedagogy related to adult learning.
Social Optics is part of a research study with the University of Montana MIND Lab. The mission of the MIND (Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity) Lab at the University of Montana is to investigate the effectiveness of evidenced-based practices for people that experience autism and neurodiversity across the lifespan and explore pedagogy related to adult learning.
Social Optics is part of a research study with the University of Montana MIND Lab. The mission of the MIND (Meaningful Intervention for NeuroDiversity) Lab at the University of Montana is to investigate the effectiveness of evidenced-based practices for people that experience autism and neurodiversity across the lifespan and explore pedagogy related to adult learning.
Meet our Team & Leaders
Meet our Team & Leaders
We are driven to make a positive impact for students, teachers, district administrators, and parents. We're here to enable teens to make choices that will lead them to the outcomes they want, so they can live their best lives.
We are driven to make a positive impact for students, teachers, district administrators, and parents. We're here to enable teens to make choices that will lead them to the outcomes they want, so they can live their best lives.
Carolyn Long
Founder & CEO
Carolyn has 23 years experience working with autistic individuals and their families in schools and private clinics. She is an expert in neurodivergence, trauma-informed practices, and turning research into actionable steps for diverse learners.
Hashim Hayat
Tech Lead
Hashim is a 2x founder. He is a full-stack engineer and previously built engineering projects for Very Good Ventures - the top Flutter agency. Notable work includes the Hamilton musical app - the first commercial Flutter app.
Ready to Empower Your School Community Today?
Join us in creating better learning experiences and empowering every student. Try our demo to get started!
Ready to Empower Your School Community Today?
Join us in creating better learning experiences and empowering every student. Try our demo to get started!
Ready to Empower Your School Community Today?
Join us in creating better learning experiences and empowering every student. Try our demo to get started!
All Rights Reserved. 2024 Social Optics Inc.
All Rights Reserved. 2024 Social Optics Inc.
All Rights Reserved. 2024 Social Optics Inc.
All Rights Reserved. 2024 Social Optics Inc.