What are Social Stories?
- They are stories for people with Autism, that explain different social situations.
- The stories teach them how to react appropriately in certain social settings.
- Short descriptions of specific scenarios.
- A social learning tool for those that struggle with social interactions.
- Accompanied by illustrations they explain social norms.
- Invented by Carol Gray, Autism Consultant, in the 1990’s.
I have just started writing my own social story collection. Click here to see my range.
What does a Social Story describe?
Social stories are used to describe certain scenarios that we normally take for granted.
The following is a list of likely situations that a person with Autism may need help with. This list is not exhaustive.
- Dealing with a range of emotions appropriately
- Interactions on the playground at school
- Shopping in the supermarket
- Travelling by plane and what to expect at the airport
- How to have a shower/ bath
- How to get dressed
- How to play and take turns
- Going to the doctor/dentist
- Travelling in the car
- Having a hair cut
How do Social Stories help children with Autism?
They help people with autism to understand how others might respond in a particular situation.
Help children with autism to understand emotions like boredom, anger, sadness, and happiness. The stories help them to learn how to cope with the emotion but also feel empathy towards others emotions.
By helping children with special needs to understand behaviour in others and their own.
Teaching children with autism and special needs to learn self care.
Show children with autism how to respond appropriately in certain social situations.
Help to cope with changes in routine and transitions between tasks.
Teach children with autism how to play, take turns and use their imagination and therefore building successful two way relationships.
Provide the tools to help children with autism to join in appropriately with group activities.
Assist children with special needs to form and maintain friendships.
Increase self confidence and self esteem.
Social stories are not designed to change behaviour but to reinforce acceptable responses to interactions.
Where can i get Social Stories?
Click here to see my collection. I will be adding to it over the next few weeks so please keep checking.
There are also a range of social stories available from Winslow Resources.
Also available on Amazon :
How to make my own Social Stories.
As a parent/care giver, you can absolutely have a go at making your own social stories for your child. After all you know your child better than anyone and which situations they struggle with.
You can use PowerPoint or Word. There are lots of different ways to make social stories. If your good at drawing you could even have a go at drawing your own. Whatever works for you and your child.
The story needs to have a title, introduction, body of text and a conclusion.
It should provide answers to when, where, who, what, how and why?
There should be a mixture of descriptive sentences, pictures and praise.
Try and include positive statements at the end of the story such as “ I like taking turns when I play with my friends because it feels good to be nice”
Conclusion
Children and adults with autism may struggle with social skills but they can develop these with the help of well written social stories. If you decide to make your own stories you can really use your imagination and tailor them to your child’s needs. If you need any help please contact me or comment.
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