Ep.65-EQ is Everything!-Carolyn Long, Co-founder/Chief Research & Development Officer
The Teacher Story · Jackie Scully
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Show Notes
Carolyn Long's journey in speech-language pathology has been driven by a deep passion for helping individuals, especially teenagers and adults, develop essential communication skills that foster connection and understanding. Over the course of her 22-year career, she has gained invaluable insights into the profound and lasting impact of effective communication, particularly for those who may not conform to societal norms.
With 14 years dedicated to working within educational settings, including navigating the challenges of teaching during the first and second years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carolyn has acquired a wealth of knowledge about what truly engages neurodivergent students and what falls short.
Her expertise has been instrumental in designing a life skills curriculum tailored specifically for students with autism and other social communication challenges, as no existing curricula met their unique needs.
Her current endeavor, Social Optics, represents the culmination of her dream—a platform designed to encourage open conversations about communication, normalize differences, and enhance overall well-being.
Carolyn firmly believes that the connections we form with others through communication are the foundation of a sense of belonging, and she is on a mission to make these connections more accessible and meaningful to everyone.
Quotes
"It gives students on the fringes who are neurodivergent a set of tools."
"It is hard to be present and in the moment."
"I can tell by the way you look this will not be a good phone call. Would you like me to stay here or would you like me to stay away to give you some space to have this phone call?" (student talking with Carolyn after using the Social Optics program)
"EQ is everything!"
"Communication skills are in the top 4 of what employers value."