Frequently Needed Answers

Many children with an ASD can be genuinely bewildered and overwhelmed in social situations. This is due to social skills deficits which are a common characteristic of autism and are always present in varying degrees.

There is no cure for autism but there are various treatments of autism which can help children with an ASD overcome and deal with their individual social skills deficits such as picture communication cards, visual social story cards and autism social skills stories.

The common characteristics of autism are also displayed in the ASD child by repetitive and stereotypical behaviour patterns which can cause isolation and at times even bullying. For example many kids with autism display rigid behaviours and can become distressed and anxious when a routing is altered or changed.

For many kids with repetitive and stereotypical behaviour patterns can be helped and eased using visual intervention strategies like social skills stories, for example visiting Grandma, transitions, moving, shopping trips and so on.

The autism social story is a short descriptive story which focuses on a skill or behaviour that the child with autism is struggling to understand or cope with.

The autism social story breaks the skill or situation up into smaller easier to understand sections and uses visual images to show the child with autism what to expect and also what is expected of them.

Typically autism social skills stories should answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “how” and should aim on giving the child with autism an insight into the thoughts, feeling s and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most kids with autism.

Tools for Social Skills Management for Kids with Autism using intervention strategies like social stories, picture communication cards and visual social story cards can be found at: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Here you will find other Tools for Social Skills Management for Kids with Autism such as visual schedules, behaviour plans, now and next boards, flash cards, activities booklets a parent page with craft ideas and much more

Visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Autism is a complex neurological disorder which affects more boys than girls. The characteristics of autism vary from person to person but the common characteristics of autism present in ALL autistic individuals are deficits in social awareness, communication and imagination skills as well as stereotypical and repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Just like a typically developing child the child with autism will want to have fun and “play” but unlike a typically developing child this is sometimes difficult, “play” does not come naturally to most autistic individuals.

Therefor when thinking about Amazing Craft Ideas for Your Child with Autism it is probably a good idea to think outside the box! No two children with autism are the same and what holds the attention of one child might not hold the attention of another as with any child.

Movement based activities can work quite well for children with autism for example – spinning, running, twirling and so on, kids with autism can be very sensitive to sensory stimulation. Try creating activities based around movement for example bouncing on a trampoline (inside and out). Or try swinging on a swing, in a hammock or try using a blanket to swing your ASD child.

Many kids with autism like to build things for example using Lego. Try engaging your ASD child in putting together a puzzle.

Other Amazing Craft Ideas for Your Child with Autism can also be viewed at: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/fun_activities_to_do_with_your_autistic_child.html

Typically children on the autism spectrum are visual thinkers and learners therefor they find visual activities, information and projects more interesting and generally greater successes are often achievable.

This applies to learning social awareness and communication skills also, a child with autism WILL better understand visual teaching methods and tools. For example an ASD child that is sensitive to sensory stimulation may find social stories useful when it comes to situations like hair washing, brushing their teeth, getting a haircut, visiting the dentist and so on…

Such social stories can be found at: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/hygiene.html

As well as at http://www.autismsocialstories.com

There is also for immediate download 33 Amazing Craft Ideas for Your Child with Autism including:

• There Candy Crafts
• Dried Flowers
• Making Gifts
• How to make a scarecrow
• How to make homemade ice cream
• How to make homemade stickers
• Making handmade paper
• Making homemade potpurri
• Making jewellery
• Sea shell crafts
• Trash Art

Ready for immediate download as well as other tools for autism such as social stories, visual social story cards, picture communication cards, now and next boards, visual schedules, behaviour charts and more…

Visit for social stories:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Visual social story cards:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/visual.html

Picture communication cards:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/cards.html

Now and next and visual schedules:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/now.html

Behaviour plans:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/behaviour.html

Just check out the sitemap down the side of the page for articles, information, flash cards, parent tools and more…

The main difficulties experienced by those on the autism spectrum are deficits in three main areas of development: social awareness, communication (verbal and non-verbal) also imagination skills.

It is these deficits which ARE common to all those on the autism spectrum in varying degrees, depending on the individuals own abilities.

Children with autism ARE typically visual thinkers and learners which means that VISUAL SUPPORTS are going to be easier for the child on the autism spectrum to USE and UNDERSTAND.

There is no known cure for autism but there ARE significant “Autism Behaviour Supports and Techniques” available which ARE visual and can be easily implemented.

For example – Autism Behaviour Supports and Techniques like:

Autism Social Skills Stories, Visual Social Story Cards, Communication Cards, PECS and so on…

All of these ARE visual supports which can be used to help the child on the autism spectrum OVERCOME their own individual challenges and deficits.

Autism Social Skills Stories - USE images/pictures and can act like a visual plan/framework of the skill or behaviour being tackled. For example a social story can be implemented to help the child with autism cope with group activities, learn appropriate social skills like asking questions, respecting personal space, taking turns and so on…

The social story WILL answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and WILL offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in those on the autism spectrum.

Autism Social Skills Stories ARE normally written in first person text and WILL usually be written from the perspective of the child with autism. The social story should also be written in word format to make editing and printing easier.

No two children with autism WILL ever be the same and we all use different terminology with our kids, therefore editing and personalization ARE important.

To learn more about Autism Behaviour Supports and Techniques such as Autism Social Skills Stories, Visual Social Story Cards and Communication Cards visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/behavior

Autism is a complex neurological disorder which affects on average 1 in every 150 born. Typically the ratio of boys being diagnosed autistic is higher than females at  the ratio 4:1 males being diagnosed autistic.

There are no known cures for autism spectrum disorder BUT there are treatments for autism which can help alleviate many of the symptoms of autism.

The main symptoms of autism being deficits in social awareness, communication difficulties both verbal and non-verbal communication is affected and imagination skills. Typically most autistics also display some sensory processing issues.

Probably some of the most significant treatments for autism available ARE social skills stories, visual social story cards, PECS and flash cards to name a few.

Generally children with autism spectrum disorder will have difficulties in expressing how they feel or what they need, this can cause confusion for parents and teachers, and cause the child much anxiety and stress.

Autism products such as social skills stories and flash cards can be put in place to help the child understand and be understood more effectively.

Social stories ARE autism products which were first introduced around twenty years ago and have grown in use and popularity since there introduction by therapist Carol Gray.

Social stories break down the skill or behaviour into smaller easier to understand sections and use visual images / pictures to show and explain the skill or behaviour from the autistic child’s own perspective.

Much like a comic script conversation the social story is used like a visual plan or framework answering the ever important “WH” questions - who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” the social story will also give the child on the spectrum an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others. This is a known area of weakness for most autistics.

As well as providing a visual plan the social skills story, visual social story cards and flash cards ARE also used as a means of communication.

For example flash cards ARE used  as a means of communication providing the child on the spectrum with a  selection of small laminated cards to show or exchange for what ever it is they need. So for example at snack time the child may hand the teacher a card showing the picture of an apple in return the teacher would then give the child an apple and so on.

Autism products such as social skills stories, visual social story cards and folders as well as flash cards are now available for download at http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Looking at Communication Difficulties in Autism - USING VISUAL SUPPORTS

Children with autism have difficulties with communication skills, and will often not develop effective communication . It is believed that up to 50% of children with autism spectrum will NOT develop speech, while others will develop speech slowly.

When we think of speech we are thinking of the body of words and the formation of sounds, as well as the structure and forms used to allow speech.

However with  communication this can be either verbally through speech or non-verbally through gestures, signs and pointing to printed words or symbols.

Typically children with autism spectrum WILL struggle with all forms of communication verbal and non-verbal and will use speech as a secondary language. Children with autism spectrum ARE generally VISUAL thinkers this means that they
think in pictures / images, this is their first language.

It is therefore beneficial for teacher and parents to consider visual information as a means of communication and use speech / words less. Visual communication supports for autism can be in many forms - social stories, visual social story cards,
PECS, flash cards, visual timetables and so on.

As children develop they begin to explore their environment and learn cause and affect - for example a thirsty child may point to his cup, a tired child may raise their arms to be picked up, this is cause and affect.  This inquisitiveness for exploration to learn this cause and affect is typically missing in children with autism.

By the time a non-verbal autistic child starts school chances are they will already have been seen by a  speech therapist. In many cases it will be necessary for the autistic child to learn a new form of communication -  a child that screams and tantrums to
get what they need is not going to “fit in” at school. A new means of communication will be needed to control the need for the screaming - for example visual communication supports for autism such as visual social story cards, PECS and flash cards can be introduced.

Visual social story cards are small laminated cards approx. 8cm by 11cm that can be introduced to help the child learn new skills or understand behaviours that they find difficult to master, for example break time, using the potty, time out and so on.

The social story cards are short visual stories much like a comic script that are used as a visual plan or framework of the skill or behaviour, always from the autistic child’s own perspective and in first person text. The social story cards will describe the skill or behaviour and give possible outcomes.

Visual social story cards answer the “wh” questions - who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and provide an insight into how others may be feeling, which is an area of marked weakness in most autistic children.

To learn more about how social stories can be used to help autisitic children and communication difficulties in autism visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

I often get asked How do I choose a social story for my autistic child?

To begin with you need to understand what a social story is:

Social stories are short visual descriptions of a skill, behaviour, activity or event, written in first person text and always from the autistic child’s own perspective.

Social stories are written to help the child with autism develop social awareness skills and behaviours as well as social understanding, and better communication skills.

A social skills story can also help the child with autism better understand that not everyone shares their opinions, likes and dislikes and that we all have different objectives, thoughts and feelings.

The social skills story is generally written in word format and can be adapted to suit all needs and abilities. It should also be easy to edit and personalize, as no two individuals will ever be the same and we all use different terminology with our children.

Typically children with autism spectrum are visual thinkers, meaning that they think in pictures and use language as a secondary.

This makes social stories ideal as they ARE predominantly visual and colourful.

Social stories answer the ever important “wh” questions - who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and will offer an insight into how another person may precieve the situation, their emotion and feelings, this is an area of marked weakness in most children with autism spectrum.

Acting as a visual framework or plan the social story can help giude the autistic child, suggesting possible responses and outcomes, promoting positive behaviours.

Social stories and visual social story cards ARE used for ALL situations and skills that the child with autism is struggling with, for example: asking other kids to play, waiting their turn to talk in the classroom, recess, being a good sport and so on.

Many parents find social stories and visual social story cards an excellent tool around puberty, by helping to explain what is happening and what the child / adolescent can expect.

Through observation you should be able to determine which skills and behavours your child is finding challenging and implement an appropriate social story. However if you do not see any improvement after two weeks maybe the story needs tweaking, or perhaps you have read the situation wrong and a different story is needed.

For example a child that has a tamtrum during circle time, may not be having a meltdown due to circle time itself, there could be a number of reasons, such as not getting to show and tell first to, who they are sitting next to. Through observation you should be able to determine the cause of the tantrum and introduce an appropriate story.
To lean more  - How do I choose a social story for my autistic child visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Children with autism spectrum disorder have social awareness deficits as well as communication difficulties this can make even simple social skills like holding a conversation difficult and at times VERY STRESSFUL!

Therefore Teaching Social Awareness Skills and Behaviours for children with autism should be based upon the child strengths.

Typically children with autism spectrum disorder are VISUAL thinkers and learners, this means they use VISUAL information as their first language, they think in pictures and images.

Strategies can be put in place for teaching social awareness skills and behaviours for children with autism spectrum disorder that WILL help the child cope with the social awareness deficits and communication difficulties that they struggle with.

Therefore any of the strategies you choose to use should be visual such as “Autism Social Skills Stories” and “Visual Social Story Cards” both these strategies use visual information to teach the child with ASD essential social and communication skills.

Autism Social Skills Stories – These are short visually descriptive stories which are much like a comic script showing a skill or behaviour in step by step format.

For example – “I like to talk, I like to talk to my friends and I like to talk to my family”.

The social skills story breaks the skill or behaviour into smaller relevant sections (the social cues) and uses first person text as well as pictures or images to detail the skill or behaviour from the child’s own perspective.

The social skills story will act as a visual framework showing what the child can expect and how they will be expected to act. It will answer the “wh” question – who, where, why, when and what as well as “HOW” and will also offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most children on the spectrum.

Visual Social Story Cards – These are small laminated cards generally about 8 x 11 cm in size.

The visual social story cards work in the same manner as social stories but they break the skill even further into sections, each section is on a separate card with image, the cards are flipped over to reveal the individual steps of the skill or behaviour.

The visual social story cards can be used in the same manner as regular social stories to teach and re-enforce social awareness skills and communication difficulties.

To learn more about strategies that can be put in place to help your child with ASD learn social awareness skills and deal with their communication difficulties visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

For many families with children on the spectrum using visual supports WILL give their child relief from many of the social awareness and communication skills that they struggle to understand and cope with.

However for some families finding appropriate visual supports for autism can be an issue.  There are many different visual supports for autism available, choosing the right support for your child on the spectrum can be challenging!

Looking at How to Download Visual Supports for your Child on the Spectrum

1.       Autism Social Skills Stories

Autism Social Skills Stories are short descriptive stories that can help explain visually how and why something happens. For example some children with autism may struggle to make friends or ask other children to play. A social story can help the child on the spectrum learn how to approach other children, what they may expect and in turn what the child on the spectrum should expect.

The social story uses visual images and first person text in an almost comic like fashion answering the “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and will offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most children with autism.

To learn more about Autism Social Skills Stories visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

2.       Visual Social Story Cards

Just like a social story the visual social story cards are short specifically written cards that offer a child on the spectrum ways of coping with skills and behaviours that they are struggling to master.

The visual social story card is a small laminated card generally 8 x 11, each card has an appropriate image and short sentence to describe what is happening from the autistic child’s point of view.

To learn more about Visual Social Story Cards visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

3.       Visual Flash Cards

Visual Flash Cards and used as a means of communication. The cards are generally 9 x 13 in size and will display a printed picture on the front with a short written description. The visual flash cards can be used in many different ways as an exchange, on a visual timetable and as communication aids.

Visual flash cards are very handy to re-enforce skills for example snack time at school a card can be exchanged in return for the appropriate treat or snack and so on…

To learn more about Visual Flash Cards visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/visual_aids

There are many other visual supports for autism available, but these are our top tips and will generally be sufficient for the majority of children with autism.

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/visual_aids

For many children on the autism spectrum Christmas may be a time for stress and anxiety, with the on-going chaos and sensory overload the Festive Season provides.

However there are strategies that parents of autistic children can put in place to help their child cope.

Typically children with autism spectrum disorder ARE visual thinkers and learners; this means that they use speech/language secondary and visual information as a primary means of communication.

So how does this help us at Christmas!

Generally for children on the autism spectrum Christmas is unpredictable, and it is this unpredictability that CAN cause the most distress.  

Using VISUAL autistic supports can help.

Characteristically children with autism spectrum disorder prefer structure and routines and dislike changes. Visual autistic supports CAN help balance the unpredictability of Christmas and make the Festive Season more predictable and structured.

Commonly parents of autistic children struggle to find suitable supports for Christmas and autism spectrum disorder. However, the internet NOW makes it a lot easier for parents to source suitable information and autism supports.

Using autism supports for Christmas

Visual Timetables:  Can be used to show a count-down to Christmas, the visual timetable can be used to help the child with ASD visually see what is happening each day on the run up to Christmas, for example buying the tree, putting up the tree, decorating the house, a school play, party and so on.

Photos:  Show your child with ASD photographs of last year and how you celebrated to remind them of how the Festive Season is going to be.

Visual Social Story Cards:  Can be introduced to help the child with ASD deal with changes to routines, learning new skills and coping with unpredictability. Visual social story cards ARE small laminated story cards which act like a framework of a skill or situation for example the school play. The story card can help the child to understand what is happening and what is expected of them.

Autism social skills stories:  Probably the most significant of the autism supports for Christmas. Autism social skills stories answer the “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why as well as “ HOW” and offer an insight into the thoughts and feelings of others. The social skills story is a short descriptive story from the autistic child’s point of view which uses visual images to show how and why something is happening and how the autistic child can deal with this, as well as what other people will be expecting of them.

Visual flash cards - PECS:  These can be used to help communication difficulties during the festive season.

There are of cause other visual autistic supports that can be sourced on  the internet.

Christmas need not be too stressful once the right visual autistic supports are put in place. To find suitable autistic supports like: Autism social skills stories for Christmas as well as visual social story cards visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/christmas

These Autism social skills stories for Christmas CAN be edited, personalized, downloaded and printed for convenience.

Visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/christmas

Social stories are a Visual Intervention Strategy that can be used to help teach children with autism social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours.

Typically children with autism lack the “Theory of Mind”, which means that they do not have the ability to see things from another person’s perspective or understand their beliefs and emotions. A child on the spectrum will also struggle with social awareness skills and will lack the ability to read situations and decide what is going on.

The majority of children with autism ARE visual thinkers and learners, this means that they think in pictures. Consequently, using a Visual Intervention Strategy to help them overcome their social awareness deficits and lack of Theory of Mind…

Visual social stories for children with autism are Visual Intervention Strategies that use images/pictures to describe a skill or situation from the autistic child’s own point of view.

As “normally” developing individuals we have the “Theory of Mind” we can predict what another person may be feeling or thinking by reading their body and facial expression.

For a child on the spectrum a social story can act like a visual framework or step by step plan of the skill or situation that they are struggling with. The social story WILL help guide them and teach them in a gentle reassuring manner how to act in the situation.

Visual social stories for children with autism answer the “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why as well as “HOW” and will offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most autistic children.

Many parents of autistic children report their child shows improvement in social awareness skills and communication difficulties once social stories are introduced.

There is no need for any formal training to use social stories, downloadable social stories can be edited and personalized. No two individuals on the spectrum are ever going to be the same and we all use different terminology with our child, therefore the ability to edit social stories is beneficial.

Visual social story cards are also used with autistic children with great effect. These are ready made and laminated small cards. Each card has a section of the social story on it and can be presented either on a key ring or in a small 8×6 inch folder.

To learn more about social stories for your child on the spectrum visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Here you will find various social stories for download, as well as visual social story cards on key rings and in folders as well as visual flash cards.

Other sites offering downloadable social stories are:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skill

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school_resources

Typically children with autism are visual thinkers and learners, which means that they think in images/pictures.

Therefore visual information and teaching/learning strategies ARE found to be more beneficial.

There are various forms of visual supports for autism – for example visual social stories, visual social story cards, flash cards, PECS and many more.

These are probably the most significant of the visual supports for autism and generally need no formal training to use.

Many parents and teachers of children with autism find supports like visual social stories a real help and report less stress and meltdowns after social stories or other visual supports have been introduced.

What is a visual social story?

A visual social story is a short descriptive story detailing with images/pictures a skill, situation or behaviour that the child on the spectrum is struggling with – for example making friends, playing games, taking turns and so on.

The visual social story WILL answer the “wh” questions who, what, where, when and why as well as “HOW” and will offer an insight into the thoughts and feelings of others which is an area of marked weakness in most children with autism.

The visual social story is much like a visual framework or step by step plan of the skill, situation or behaviour. Typically visual social stories are written in first person text and will always be from the autistic child’s own point of view.

A social story can be introduced for most situations. We all use different terminology with our child, therefore the social story ought to be editable and easy to personalize making it relevant for any child on the spectrum.

To learn more about visual supports for autism including visual social stories, visual social story cards and flash cards visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Typically a child on the spectrum WILL have difficulties with communication both verbal and non-verbal this is due to social skills deficits and is a common symptom of autism.

Children with autism ARE generally visual learners or visual thinkers, this means they think in pictures and use speech/words as a second language.

Generally parents and teachers report that the more information is moved from verbal to visual, the more successful children with autism ARE in understanding the information. This follows in ALL aspects of the child’s life and environment.

Autistic visual supports ARE introduced to HELP the child on the spectrum overcome social skills deficits and deal with the situations and skills they struggle with.

There ARE various “autistic visual supports” that can be used in the home, at school, and in the community.

For example:

Social skills stories;

Visual support cards

Flash cards and MORE…

Social skills stories ARE short visual description much like a comic script of a skill or situation. The social skills story uses images/pictures like a visual step by step plan which breaks the skill into smaller relevant sections and uses images to describe the skill.

The social skills story WILL answer the “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why as well as “HOW” and offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others, which is an area of marked weakness in kids with autism.

Visual support cards work in the same manner as social skills stories by showing kids with autism what to expect and by offering explanations and possible responses.

The autism visual social story cards are small laminated cards about 9cm x 12cm which break the skill into small sections, with each section (part) of the skill displayed on each card, which are then flipped over like a comic book.

The autism visual social story cards CAN be very handy due to their size, making them portable and convenient to use.

Flash cards are used in the same manner as PECS cards as a means of communication. The flash card will display an image/picture, the child on the spectrum can show the parent/teacher the card. So for example at snack time the child may show the teacher a card displaying an apple, the teacher will take the card and exchange it for an apple, and so on.

All these “autistic visual supports” need no formal training to use and are easy to implement. You can see examples and gather more information as well as download of social skills stories from:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school_resources

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

PLUS:

Grab Your Free Report Today

What every parent should know about the medication we give our children

What is safe and what is not!

Plus when to call the Doctor and important question YOU OUGHT TO ASK

Plus a section on Natural Remedies

Download Your FREE Report NOW!

PLUS - Grab Your Exclusive “Fun Package” Offer

The “Fun Package” includes:

32 Ways To Keep Your Kids Busy

101 Craft Project Ideas

Part Games For Kids of ALL Ages (including Adults)

Fun Arts and Crafts For ALL Children

Gift Basket Ideas - but not necessarily in a Basket!!

Download The FREE Report and “Fun Package” Today

Having deficits with social skills like hygiene and self-help skills is problematic.

For many individuals with autism spectrum disorder learning social skills can be confusing and at times even painful!

This is due to autistic sensory processing issues and the Triad of autistic impairments or social skills deficits, which are common symptoms for most individuals with autism spectrum disorder.  

Having autistic sensory processing issues can mean your child is hyper or hypo sensitive to stimuli – touch, sound, taste, smell and visual sensations. For example even a simple hygiene skill like brushing your teeth can cause discomfort even actual pain.                                                           

The triad of autistic impairments or social skills deficits; means your child WILL struggle with social, communication and imagination skills – like hygiene and self-help skills.

Therefore Autism hygiene and self-help skills will need direct teaching. This can be achieved using visual supports such as - social stories, visual social story cards, flash cards and PECS

For example; Jason is a fourteen year old autistic teen, he is of average intelligence and has good verbal skills.

Jason is going through puberty and has started to sweat, which can be quite unpleasant for those around Jason.

Jason’s lack of personal hygiene has become an issue in class with his peers. But for Jason a lack of personal hygiene is NOT an issue and he is oblivious to the need for better hygiene he appears NOT TO NOTICE the name calling.

But Jason is becoming distressed and confused by the social isolation he is now experiencing.

As a result Jason has become prone to aggressive outburst, due to his lack of understanding of the social isolation he is suffering, this is having a knock on affect his peers now stay away from Jason – one because he is smelling bad and two because he is becoming aggressive. This circle needs to be broken, but for those with autism it can be difficult lacking social knowledge and social skills can make it difficult for an autistic teen like Jason to understand and read other peoples thoughts, body language and verbal and non-verbal communications.

Teaching autism social skills like hygiene and self-help skills USING autism social stories is beneficial and works.

Autism social stories ARE descriptive Intervention Strategies which have been used for around twenty years to HELP those with autism better understand and learn social, communication and imagination skills and behaviors.

Social skills stories, like the one INTRODUCED to Jason can answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, where and when and “HOW” as well as give an insight into the communications – verbal and non-verbal, thoughts, feelings and emotions shown and expressed by others.

Which in Jason’s case was the sweat making him smelly, which caused social isolation and the knock on affects, the autism social skills story helped show Jason how he could right the situation and thus stop the social isolation which was making him un-happy.

The autism social skills story was used to explain to Jason why he was sweating and why this was causing his peers to stay clear of him and how he could put things right.

Teaching autism social skills like hygiene and self-help skills can and is made easier using social stories. Social stories use visual images/pictures to show the skill or situation in detail as well as first person text in a manner that most autistic individuals CAN understand.  

To learn more about visual social skills story cards and autism social skills stories visit:

www.autismsocialstories.com/hygiene

Common to autism are deficits with: Social skills, communication (verbal and non-verbal) skills and imagination skills, this is known as the triad of autistic impairments or social skills deficits, and WILL affect all children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Using Autism Visual Supports CAN HELP those on the spectrum overcome Social skills deficits.

The majority of children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder ARE visual thinkers and learners, this means they think in pictures (pictures being the first language and speech/words the second language).

Using visual tools for Autistic Spectrum Disorder as a strategy in the home, in school, at work and while out CAN help children with autism better understand social interactions, communication both verbal and non-verbal, use appropriate behaviours and better understand social settings, skills and behaviours.

Autism Visual Supports such as: Visual Flash Cards, PECS, Visual Social Story Cards and Printable Autism Social Skill Stories can be easily implemented and USED to overcome many difficulties.

What are Visual Flash Cards?

Visual Flash Cards are communication tools which are small laminated pieces of card. These cards can be used on their own or with other visual tools for Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Visual Flash Cards use an image with accompanying text, many children with autism struggle with instructions, for example a visual flash card may display an image of a washing your hands with the words I wash my hands under it.

What are Visual Social Story Cards?

Visual Social Story Cards work in the same manner as Printable Autism Social Skills Stories, giving children with autism answers and solutions to the problems they have with social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours.

Visual Social Story Cards are simpler forms of regular social stories, the social skills story is broken into smaller sections, with a single image and text on each
page generally A6 size.

What are Printable Autism Social Skills Stories?

Parents, caregivers and teachers USE Social Stories, as treatments for autism which WILL help prepare children with ASD for various situations, behaviours and skills; for example:

Transitions

New beginnings

Making choices

Changes to routines  

Understanding behaviours

Re-enforcing already learnt skills

Learning new skills and behaviours

Unexpected/surprise events, happenings

Dealing with Frustration, Anger and Stress

Giving an insight into the thoughts and feelings of others

In-fact anything your child on the autism spectrum needs help to understand and learn.

The social skills story acts like a visual framework or plan, should be colourful and use appropriate images/pictures to VISUALLY show the child with ASD what is happening and WHY

Printable Autism Social Skills Stories answers the “wh” questions: who, where, why, when and what as well as “HOW” and MUST provide children with autism spectrum disorder an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others, which is an area of marked weakness for children on the autism spectrum scale.

Autism social skills stories are generally written in WORD FORMAT as no two children with an ASD are ever going to be the same. AND WE ALL USE DIFFERENT TERMINOLOGY, making autism social skills stories easy to tweak and EDIT as well as add personal information too, is very important

To learn more about Using Autism Visual Supports and get downloads visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/visual_aids

Generally children with autism are visual thinkers this means that they think in pictures (pictures being the first language and speech/words the second language).

Consequently, for the majority of children with autism using visual information and teaching is far easier for them to understand.

Avoid long strings of verbal instructions. People with autism have problems with remembering the sequence. Instead use smaller sentences and visual prompts, like visual flash cards and visual social story cards.

Nonverbal autistic children and adults will find it easier to associate words with pictures if they see the printed word and a picture like for example on the visual flash cards.

Therefore, when looking at ways to teach children with autism social behaviours it is probably a good idea to consider visual strategies.

There are many forms of visual strategies available to teach social behaviours: visual social story cards, visual flash cards, PECS and social skills stories are a few on offer to parents, caregivers and teachers of autistic children and adults.

Visual strategies like social stories use visual images and short pieces of text in a manner that people with autism find easy to understand. The social story and visual social story cards use appropriate first person text and are always from the autistic individual’s point of view.

Many autistic individual’s use social stories to help with social awareness skills and behaviours as well as an aid for communication difficulties which are also a common issue for many people with autism.

Commonly autistic children and adults have communication difficulties, therefore social skills stories are implemented to help them overcome many of the difficulties that face.

A social story answers the “wh” questions – who, where, why, when and what as well as HOW and will give an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness for most autistic individuals.

The social story and visual socials story cards follow a set pattern of sentence type and are generally written in word format making editing easy. No two individuals are ever the same and we all use different terminology with our youngster, therefore editing is on essential.

To learn more about visual flash cards, visual social story cards and social stories visit any of the following sites:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/visual_aids