Social Stories for people with Autism
Social stories are short explanations of a specific behaviour, skill, situation, event or activity showing/detailing definite information about what to expect in that situation and why.
Social skills stories ARE treatments for autism which CAN be used for a wide variety of difficulties including:
Transitions
Making choices
Teaching self-help/hygiene skills
Preparing for changes to routines
Making and maintaining friendships
Dealing with skills/behaviours which cause stress and anxiety
Sudden changes/unexpected circumstances – such as a death, birth etc.
The social skills story will explain visually what is happening/about to happen and why, by breaking the skill/behaviour down into smaller relevant pieces, the “social cues”.
So for example the social skills story will aim to answer the important “wh” questions – what, where, why, when and who as well as “HOW” it will also attempt to give an insight into the thoughts and feelings of any other people affected or involved. Understanding the thoughts, feelings and emotions of other people is an area of considerable weakness for most people with autism spectrum disorder.
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder tend to be predominantly visual thinkers and learners which indicates that treatments for autism the visual support tools, resources and information should be visual. It is therefore believed that visual support tools like social skills stories ARE generally the best form of teaching/support tool.
Social Stories for people with Autism can be downloaded and used with great affect from sites such as www.autismsocialstories.com. You will also find visual social story cards and folders as well as other visual support tools such as picture communication cards/flash cards, behaviour plans and charts as well as freebies and a comprehensive parent page.
Visit www.autismsocialstories.com
Tags: autism spectrum disorder, for autism, people with autism, people with autism spectrum disorder, social stories, Social Stories for people with Autism, treatments for autism, visual support tools, with autism