1. Can I Really Write a Social Narrative?
Sure you can!!
Prepared by: Dana Rusher

2. Today we will … define social narratives
learn how to write our own social narratives
look at examples of social narratives

3. Social narratives (social stories)
An intervention we know works!
Describes a social situation
Gives clues about what to do when a situation is difficult or confusing

4. Why use them? Children with autism have difficulty with: social skills
understanding what others are thinking
understanding how others feel
understanding what others expect
predicting what others may say or do

5. How do I write one?
Identify the social situation your child is struggling with (listening, sharing, walking in hall, etc.)
Write in first-person (“I”) or third- person (“he”, “she” …)
Be positive and patient
Try to think how your child thinks

6. Social Narratives have at least 3 sentences (doesn’t count the title)
The sentences should answer 6 “wh” questions
Where
When
Who
What
Why
How
(Gray, 2010)

7. Different types of sentences
Descriptive (facts)
Perspective (how another person, or group of persons feels, or thinks, physical condition or health)
3 Sentences that Coach (guide behavior)
sentences that coach your child
sentences that coach the people supporting your child
sentences that self-coach
Affirmative (stress an important point)
Partial (fill-in-the blank)
(Gray, 2010)

8. Examples of sentences :
Descriptive –
1. There are 365 days in a year.
2. Some work is hard, and some work is easy.
3. Keeping all 4 legs of a chair on the floor will keep you safer than tilting back on two legs.

9. Examples of sentences…
Perspective –
1. Many people like surprises.
2. Teachers may think it’s polite to raise your hand before speaking.
3. Many people want to help individuals who are homeless.

10. Examples of sentences…
Sentences that
Coach your child –
1. I will try to follow Ms. Smith’s directions for this assignment.
2. I may choose to play with a friend. Or, I may play alone.
3. I will try to color inside the lines.
Coach people who support your child –
1. Ms. Smith will try to write all directions on the board after she says them out loud.
2. My dad will be with me at the baseball tryouts.
3. My brother or my mom will be with me on the first day of school.
Self-coach –
1. When someone says, “No, you can’t do that,” I can take a deep breath, and count to 10.
2. When I feel nervous I can think of visiting the beach and the way the waves sound as they come into shore.
3. I can use a calendar to help me keep up with when assignments are due.

11. Examples of sentences…
Affirmative – usually follow a descriptive, perspective, or coaching sentence
This is ok.
That is how life is.
That is very important.
Partial – used to check comprehension.
1. When I get angry I can count to ____.
2. To stay safe I walk in the hall. This is very _________.
3. Many people like __________.

12. Social Narrative Formula
# of Descriptive + Perspective + Affirmative Sentences (Complete or Partial) = # of Sentences that DESCRIBE __________________________ # Sentences that COACH 2
(Gray, 2010)

13. Social narrative examples:
Learning to Help Others Help is doing something for another person. Being helpful is kind and thoughtful. Sometimes people ask for help. My mom may ask me to carry a bag. She needs my help. Or, my dad may ask me a question about the computer. He needs help. Other times people may need help but do not ask for it. When this happens, it’s very nice to offer to help. There are many ways I can be helpful.
(Gray, 2010)

14. I’m Taking a Flight My name is Jordan
I’m Taking a Flight My name is Jordan. Mom and Dad told me that I will be taking a flight with them soon. That means that I will be riding in an airplane. There’s a lot to know about flying in an airplane. I have a set of stories to help. I am riding on a plane soon. People will probably be saying to me, “Have a good flight!”
(Gray, 2010)

15. Tips for modifying social narratives:
Use multi-media (computer-based programs, videotaping)
Use cartooning
Allow students to illustrate (by drawing or with real pictures)
Augment text with symbols/pictures best suited for your child
Story boxes

16. Wow … what amazing teachers!
Social narratives …
Instruct
Inform
Correct
Praise
Console
Support
Wow … what amazing teachers!
(Gray, 2010)

17. References
Collet-Klingenberg, L., & Franzone, E. (2008). Overview of social narratives. Madison, WI: The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin.
Gray, C. (2010). The new social story book. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.
Kokina, A. & Kern, L. (2010). Social story interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities, 40,
Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism. (2010). Retrieved from
on 4/23/2012.
Wallin, J. (2004). Social stories. Retrieved from on 4/22/12.
Wragge, A. (2008). Social narratives: Online training module. (Lincoln, NE: Nebraska Department of Education). In Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), Autism Internet Modules, Columbus, OH: OCALI.

18. Resources
Carol Gray Center: Official Home for Social StoriesTM: The official site of Social Stories™
Do2Learn (2010). Learning social skills: a conversation workbook.
Gray, C. & White, A.L. (2002). My social stories book. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Stories2Learn ( a smartphone app) mt=8

19. Resources continued
Positive Environments, Network of Trainers: Social Narratives & Social Scripts
The Watson Institute, Behavior Stories resources2.jsp?pageId=
Social Stories Information and Resources
National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Social Narratives