Social Stories Centre 404 8th March 2016

What is a Social Story? Who needs Social Stories ? What’s in a Social Story ? Practice writing a Social Story

What is a social story? A short description of a social situation. It helps people with autism understand how other people might feel and how to act appropriately. It gives a child insight into a particular situation – so they learn to behave in a socially accepted way

Social Misunderstandings: Being rude? Social Interaction Use examples of Bridge kids e.g. Justin ‘can I touch your head’ in the steam room, putting towel on top of Dani’s towel hook; going into men’s urinals and not leaving a space, standing right next to the person What social rules do your kids always stumble on? Who taught you how to do it?

A Typical Social Story will: Describe a social situation Explain how other people might feel in that situation Describe (in positive terms) the ‘right’ behaviour A social story is used to help someone behave appropriately in a specific situation – not just to change a single behaviour Not used to change one behaviour

Example: A story about listening 29/03/2012 Example: A story about listening Today I am at Centre 404. I am learning about Social Stories. Clare from The Bridge is running the session. Sometimes when I’m feeling tired, I stop listening. Sometimes, I fall asleep and miss everything. If I fall asleep Clare might think I am not interested in what she is saying. She might think that I do not want to learn about Social Stories. I will try my best to stay awake and listen. Then I can learn how to explain things to my child in a new way. If I can do this my child and I can have more fun. And Clare will be happy with me too.

DOING A WEE I will get a big hug and the special car to play with This is my potty I can sit on my potty to do a wee If I do a wee Mummy will be happy I will get a big hug and the special car to play with stories suited to children at the Bridge

iPad social stories

Social Stories Creator This is what we have on our school iPads. Use these or paper to do your social story today.

Writing Social Stories Write the story using ‘I’ and ‘me’, not ‘you’ and ‘s/he’ Add pictures to help with understanding. Keep the story as short as possible. Always use words that the child or young person is familiar with. Always present the information in a non threatening format. Always use non committal statements. ‘I will try to, sometimes, usually’ and avoid terms like ‘always’. Focus on what the child or young person should be doing rather than what they shouldn’t. don’t shout  speak quietly 

This is from the internet. Spot the mistake.

An easy way to write social stories….. Introductory sentences: (make it personal) My name is ………………………….. Descriptive sentence(s): (describe the behaviour) Sometimes I ……………………………………...................................................................... Perspective sentence(s): (present other’s people points of view/feelings and acknowledge the child’s own feelings) Other people may think/Other people may feel …………………………………………………………………………………………………. Directive sentence(s): (provide instructions in a positive manner on what could be done instead) I will try to/or I will (if they find the word ‘try’ not clear) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Affirmative sentence(s): (enhance the meaning of the previous sentence) I will do my best to……………………………………………………………………………… This is…. (or) This will mean…………………………………………………………………….. N.B. There will always be more descriptive than directive sentences

Can you identify the different types of sentence? Introductory sentence(s) Set the scene, make it personal Descriptive sentence(s): Describes the behaviour Perspective sentence(s): presents other’s people points of view/feelings Directive sentence(s): gently provides instructions in a positive manner on what could be done instead Affirmative sentence(s): enhance the meaning of the previous sentence PRINT THIS: Divide into groups and ask them to find all the descriptive, perspective etc sentences

Activity Can you write a social story? Eva refuses to wear her coat outside. It’s winter and there’s snow on the way. What would you write in a social story?

Activity Can you write a social story? Peter keeps picking his nose. The rest of the family is disgusted. What would you write in a social story?

Use some of these pictures:

Use some of these pictures:

Social story template Introduction My name is ……………………and I go to Happy Acres school. My friends are………………………………(or/and) my teachers are……………… I like …………………………………………………………………….. Descriptive sentence(s): (describe the behaviour) Sometimes ……………………………………...................................................................... Perspective sentence(s): (present other’s people points of view/feelings and acknowledge the child’s own feelings) My friends may think/my friends may feel …………………………………………………………………………………………………. Directive sentence(s): (provide instructions in a positive manner on what could be done instead) It is ok to feel………………………………………………………………………I can……………………………………………………….….………… I will try to/or I will (if they find the word ‘try’ not clear) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Affirmative sentence(s): (enhance the meaning of the previous sentence) I will do my best to………………………………………………………………………………and I will try to………………………………………….. This way…………………………………………………….(or) This will mean…………………………………………………………………….. Pick a student in your class. What social skill would you like to work on? Write a social story for this student.

How to use social stories: The adult reads the story with the child daily for up to three weeks - and eventually the information is internalised. Once the child responds appropriately in the social situation, the story can be faded. This can be done by reducing the number of times the story is read a week and only reviewing the story once a month or as necessary. For a more able child, write it with the child. Make them part of it.

Explaining rules We can also use Social Stories to explain that we have to follow rules, for example: ‘In the cinema we have to be quiet. This is so that everyone can hear the film’ ‘When we want to pay at the supermarket we may have to wait our turn. This is because there are lots of people and only a few checkouts.’ ‘In assembly we have to sit quietly so the children can hear the teachers’

Things to remember Checklist Is it individualised? e.g. first person, present tense, appropriate language Is it clear ? e.g. about one behaviour at a time Does the child enjoy it? e.g. use personal interests/ photos/ pictures Is it positive? e.g. encouraging rather than critical Is it realistic? e.g. achievable without fear of failure

Any questions about Social Stories? Do you think you can write a social story now ? What social story topics would your child benefit from?

For more ideas Janine Amos books re sharing, turn-taking, saying hello etc. Carol Grey – ‘The New Social Story Book’ book and CD