Frequently Needed Answers

Receiving a diagnosis of autism

Autism is probably one of the most common developmental disorders with 1 in every 150 children born receiving a diagnosis of autism. There is still as yet no cure for autism and research into its cause continues.

Receiving a diagnosis of autism is always going to be difficult to accept, the autism child will almost certainly have the triad of autistic impairments which are deficits in social, communication, imagination and interaction skills.

So what does the triad of autistic impairments mean to your child? Children on the autistic spectrum do not develop socially in the same way as typically developing children they lack the ability to recognize and read body language and facial expression.

This is often referred to as “mind blindness” or the “theory of mind”. Typically developing children learn how to recognize the thoughts and feelings of other people as they grow by people watching they begin to recognize certain expressions, postures and mannerisms, this ability is missing with children on the autistic spectrum.

Typically developing children are inquisitive and will want to please, copy, mimic and learn social behaviors. The autism child lacks this natural instinct and will need direct teaching of social and communication skills.

Probably one of the most significant issues parents report after receiving a diagnosis of autism is their fear their child will not be accepted socially and will struggle to make friends.

There are now treatments and therapies available to parents over the internet such as social skills stories for autism. First developed almost twenty years ago social skills stories for autism are designed to help children on the autistic spectrum learn and remember social and communication skills from basic every day life skills such as washing, brushing teeth and using the toilet to more complex skills like accepting a new baby into the family, having autism and making friends, buying new shoes, even attending the hospital or dentist.

Parents, teachers and care givers use social stories on a regular basis to teach and re-enforce appropriate social skills and behaviors to children on the autistic spectrum. Written by experts, using appropriate language from the point of view of the child with ASD always written in the first person and visually rich social stories explain the why, what, where and when to the child with ASD.

To find out more about social skills stories for autism like having autism and making friends visit www.autismsocialstories.com and get immediate download to 100 social skills stories for autism as well as excellent customer support.

For children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) lacking appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills is an issue. This absence of verbal and non-verbal communication skills is mostly due to social deficiencies, often described as social skills deficits, which are a common indicator of autism.

There is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, but there are remedies for autism which can help overcome the hurdles thrown up by an individual’s social deficiencies. Although communication concerns are a common indicator of autism, many parents struggle to find suitable methods that will help their child learn verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Social exchanges can be difficult for children with ASD. Lacking the appropriate skill to be able to read another persons facial expression or body language can be a huge hurdle and undoubtedly lead to social MISTAKES.

All children with autism spectrum disorder experience problems with the appropriate use of language. For example they may have problems with intonation, rhythm, and word and sentence meaning.

Sometimes kids with ASD may COPY certain things for example scripts from the T.V like commercials, or shows that are of interest to them, they may repeat a line from a book, radio show or song and continually want to repeat this phrase.

Other kids with ASD may have phrases that they use in situations, for example some children on the autism spectrum may introduce themselves at the beginning of conversations, or introduce their parent each day at the start and end of school.

Many parents, care givers and teachers look for ways to teach conversational skill tactics to children on the autism spectrum

Studies suggest using autism social stories to teach conversational skill tactics to children on the autism will help the child’s communication concerns.

Certainly your first step will be to consult a speech and language pathologist to have your child’s communication concerns evaluated.

Using autism social stories to teach conversational skill tactics to children on the autism spectrum can prove successful. Autism social stories are short EXPRESSIVE visual step by step plans that show in clear no frill detail the skill or behavior being grasped. So for example with communication concerns a parent may present a suitable social story showing the child with ASD how this can be realized helping to make them more relaxed with the skill or situation. 

To learn more about autism social stories and how they can be used to help children with ASD learn social and communication skills and behaviors effectively. Plus get immediate downloads visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

Autism social skills stories can be used as a tool for inspiring positive behaviours in children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

Using autism social skills stories as a plan does not need any formal training, parents, care givers, teachers, teacher’s assistants and so on can use autism social skills stories effectively as a means of inspiring positive behaviours as well as helping to improve social and communication skills.

Research suggests that autism social skills stories are a major proactive behaviour intervention that provides a positive approach in encouraging appropriate social behaviours.

A social story is a short story written in first person language from the ASD individual’s point of view.

We know that children with ASD tend to be visual thinkers and learners. Consequently, the social story was designed to encompass this. Developed twenty years ago as a means of communication, the social story has now evolved into a major intervention strategy in autism.

Studies show inspiring positive behaviour using autism social skills stories has proven very effective and their use has grown dramatically over the last twenty years.

Research also suggests that autism social skills stories have been proven to reduce inappropriate behaviours, for example tantrums, inappropriate vocalizations, as well as reduce social isolation.

Encouraging positive behaviour using autism social skills stories is also beneficial in helping children with ASD understand and learn skills such as sharing, making friends, taking turn, respecting personal space and so on.

Autism social skills stories are beneficial for all individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and are available from sites such as: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Autism social skills stories are user friendly, easy to implement and require no formal training to use. Using visual images and accurate no frill text a social story is much like a visual framework of the skill or behaviour that the ASD individual’s struggling to master, understand, cope with or that needs encouraging.

Autism social skills stories are available over the internet, written by experts that can be downloaded, printed and edited to suit all individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Visit sites such as: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/behavior

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

Most people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) find social situations very difficult. As typically developing individuals we learn social skills instinctively from our family, teachers, peers and general environment.

Unfortunately people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are not able to instinctively learn social and communication skills and can sometimes be the subject of jibes, social mistakes and blunders due to their lack of appropriate social and communication skills.

Autism Social Stories are used as a visual treatment for autism to help people with ASD learn and develop an understanding of social and communication skills.

Autism Social Stories are used by parents, care givers, teachers and other professionals working or involved with children with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

Autism Social Stories were originally developed by therapist Gray to help her communicate with the ASD children she was working with, today social skills stories are used more widely as a means of developing social understanding and addressing communication difficulties.

An autism social skills story should introduce appropriate social knowledge, using first person text and visual images to describe the social situation or skill. It explains the how’s and whys of a social setting by answering the “wh” questions – who, where, why, when and what.

An autism social skills story should be made up of four different sentence types, descriptive, perspective, directive and control sentences.

Generally children with an ASD are visual thinkers and learners which means they think in pictures. Therefore when teaching an autistic child it is generally easier to make information as visual as possible, that way the child will find the information easier to understand.

This is why a good autism social skills story will give information through pictures and first person text, each autism social skills story provides clear, concise and accurate information about what is happening in a specific social situation. The social skills story acts as role model for autistic children, helping them understand and cope with social situations and address communication difficulties effectively.

To learn more about Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social Skills, as well as how social skills stories can help children with an ASD visit http://www.autismsocialstories.com

For information on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social Skills, as well as downloads of Autism Social Stories visit any of the following sites

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

Generally when looking at the behavior characteristics of autism it shows us that typically before the child’s third birthday the behavior characteristics of autism will begin to become apparent. Parents of kids with ASD will normally have noticed something is not quite right, their child may be displaying odd behaviors and may not have reached milestones.

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder which affects the brain in individuals. Generally all kids with ASD will have autistic social skills deficits these deficits commonly make up the symptoms of autism.

These autistic social skills deficits are social, communication, imagination and interaction skills deficits and will always be present to a certain degree.

All kids with ASD are different and the degree of autistic social skills deficit will also be different some kids with ASD are low functioning and may never develop speech they may also have other educational disabilities. While at the top end of the autism scale is high functioning and asperger syndrome these individuals are often average or above average intelligence and have often been referred to as “geeks”.

The symptoms of autism can be severe in some cases while in others mild to moderate.

Generally looking at the behavior characteristics of autism WILL also SUGGEST sensory issues in all or some of the senses, sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound.

Kids with ASD view the world in a different way to typically developing children they do not process sensory information in the same manner. The child on the spectrum will not naturally learn social, communication, imagination and interaction skills unlike a typically developing child that will learn naturally the skills needed to function normally. The typically developing youngster learns social skills through their environment and their own senses.

The child on the spectrum does not do this and will need direct teaching of behaviors, social and communication skills. This can be achieved through the use of autistic visual supports such as PECS cards and social stories for autistic children.

Many parents of kids with ASD as well as teachers and other professionals are already using autistic visual supports around the home, school, college and anywhere the individual with autism needs extra support or help to understand or cope.

One of the most significant autistic visual supports available to help kids with ASD is social skills stories. Developed almost twenty years ago social skills stories for autism are now probably one of the best known resources for teaching and re-enforcing social, communication, imagination and interaction skills to children with autism.

Reports suggest children with ASD respond very well to social skills stories for autism because they represent the skill being mastered in a way that children with ASD can understand and remember using appropriate language, and visual representation of the skill.

The internet now makes it easier for parents of kids with ASD as well as teachers and others involved with the care of an child on the spectrum to find and source expertly written social stories for autistic children.

Sites such as www.autismsocialstories.com offer immediate download of social stories for autistic children as well as support for all those involved in the care of an autistic child.

Social skills stories for autism are used to teach behaviors and social skills effectively. They are used to help with the looking at the behavior characteristics of autism by providing concrete support and visual representation of the skill or behavior the child with autism is struggling to master.

Download social skills stories from www.autismsocialstories.com and see for yourself how easy they are to use and how affective they can be.

Other sites offering downloads are:

www.autismsocialstories.com/sensory

www.autismsocialstories.com/school

A social skills story is written to help an individual with ASD address social skills deficits and pave the way for a positive social interaction or behaviour.

Children on the autism spectrum do not naturally acquire social and communication skills and lack he ability to interact with others effectively, this is due to social skills deficits. Social skills need to be taught directly through deliberate treatments and intervention strategies.

Teaching children with ASD social skills using intervention strategies

Probably the most significant of the various intervention strategies are autism social skills stories. Autism social skills stories can be easily implemented and used to teach the social and communication skills and behaviours that the child with an ASD is struggling with.

Having social impairments is much like being dropped in a foreign country with no idea where or how to get home or communicate. Children on the autism spectrum will need intervention strategies to acquire functional and age-appropriate social skills, make friendships, and learn communication skills.

We know that the vast majority of children with ASD are visual thinkers and learners, meaning they think in pictures, therefore visual intervention strategies are excellent.

Visual intervention strategies

Social stories ARE visual intervention strategies. Written in first person text and using visual images and pictures to describe the situation or skill in detail, a social skills story breaks the skill into appropriate social cues, following a set formula the social skills story is much like a comic strip conversation for the person with an ASD to follow.

Autism social skills stories provide concrete information on what people in a given situation are doing, thinking or feeling. The social skills story is like a visual plan showing the steps or sequence of events, identifying the significant social cues and their meaning, answering the important “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why

For a child with an ASD social stories should describe social situations, contexts, and the likely behaviours of others and provide an appropriate behavioural response cue that the child with an ASD can understand.

Therefore teaching children with ASD social skills using intervention strategies LIKE social stories is beneficial.

For children with ASD autism social skills stories act as a VISUAL PLAN OR FRAMEWORK that helps children with autism to understand skills and behaviours that they struggle with.

To learn more about children with ASD and social stories visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsoicalstories.com/behavior

Commonly children on the autism spectrum HAVE difficulties WITH AND IN social situations.

The social awareness skills we take for granted – the ability to “read” peoples body and facial expression ARE NOT skills that children on the autism spectrum learn naturally.

A lack of social awareness skills makes it difficult for these children to make and keep friends and can lead to social isolation.

However, using social stories to teach social skills to kids with ASD has proven effective. The social story is typically visual, and as we know the majority of children on the autism spectrum are indeed visual thinkers and learners.

Therefore this type of teaching aid is going to work and give better results.

The social skills story can be adapted to suit all ages and abilities and there is NO formal training needed to be able to use this autism resource.

Introducing social stories

Typically using social stories to teach social skills to kids with ASD is beneficial in all area of social awareness skills teaching for example: making friends, sharing, calming down, Visiting the Dentist and so on…

·         The social story uses first person text and visual images to describe the skill or situation from the child’s own perspective

·         The social story breaks the situation/skill down into smaller easier to understand sections

·         The social skills story acts like a visual plan or framework

·         The social skills story answers the “wh” questions – who, what. why, when and where

·         The social story also explains “HOW”

·         Social stories should aim to also give an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others

·         Social stories should offer possible outcomes

For the vast majority of kids with autis,  social awareness skills ARE very difficult to learn and direct teaching is generally needed, this is what the social skills story WILL DO!

Parents and teachers report success in teaching social awareness skills and a drop in communication difficulties once social skills stories have been introduced.

To learn more about how social stories work and gain immediate access to 100 social skills stories downloads visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/stories.html

Social stories ARE short descriptive pieces of text that use images to help show the child with ASD how to develop social understanding and interact with others which is difficult for most autistics.

Social stories are written to help children with autism learn social skills and behaviours which they struggle with like for example – making friends, asking questions, sharing and so on…

Following set patterns of sentence types the social story is typically written in first person text and always from the perspective of the child with ASD.

The social story should aim to answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and should also aim to offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most autistics.

 Social stories can help children with autism learn social skills by giving them a chance to rehearse the skill or behaviour.

Characteristically kids with ASD are visual thinkers and learners, which means that they tend to think and learn visually rather than through written or spoken means. It is therefore important when trying to teach or impart information to kids with ASD you should make it visual, social stories follow this idea.

Using images to describe much like a visual plan or step by step plan the visual social story is easy to implement and will need no formal training to use.

To download social stories which can help children with autism learn social skills visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Or any of the following sites

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/preschool

Motivating an ASD student can be at times stressful and difficult. A student with ASD WILL NOT process information in the same manner as a typically developing student, this means that the student with ASD may think, act, re-act and behave very differently to the other students.

A child with autism spectrum WILL almost certainly have deficits in three main areas of development: social, communication (verbal and non-verbal) and imagination. These deficits can make teaching difficult.

There are various supports which CAN be used to HELP a child with autism spectrum cope and better understand skills and situations that they may or are struggling with.

Motivating an ASD student using visual supports like social skills stories, picture communication cards and flash cards is beneficial.

These visual supports for the ASD student can be easily implemented and are readily available from sites like

http://www.autimsocialstories.com/school

 Typically social skills stories ARE short descriptive pieces of text which look almost like a comic script conversation. 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 considerable weakness in most children with autism.

The social story should always be written from the point of view of the ASD student and use first person text, it should always adopt a manner that the child with autism can relate to and better understand.

Generally social skills stories ARE visually rich using images and pictures to help explain to the child with autism spectrum what’s happening and why.

The social story should be editable as no two children with autism will ever be the same and we all use different terminology, therefore editing is often needed.

For more information on social skills stories for students with autism and communication cards please visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

Where you will find immediate downloads of social skills stories for students with autism and related conditions.

General social stories can be downloaded from

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

We know that the majority of children with autism spectrum ARE indeed visual thinkers and learners, meaning that they think in images/picture and for the main will better understand visual teachings and information.

It is therefore vital that we aim to teach and provide information more visually. For example using autistic visual supports like flash cards, communication cards and social stories etc…

Access autistic visual supports at:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com  there ARE various supports for children with autism spectrum available on this site.

Typically children on the autism spectrum have difficulties with social awareness and communication and will struggle to make sense of the ever changing and unpredictable world which surrounds them. These difficulties are often a major cause for stress and anxiety in many children on the autism spectrum.

By using visual supports for autism YOU can help your child with ASD better cope and understand things and situations which they find difficult, like for example asking questions, sharing, respecting personal space, asking other kids to play and so on…

Autistic visual supports such as social stories ARE designed to show the child with ASD what to expect and what is expected of them. The social story WILL answer the ever important “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and should also offer the child on the spectrum an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of considerable weakness in most children with autism.

The often aloof appearance of many children with autism can make them appear selfish, but this is not their intention or the case. This appearance is merely a lack of social awareness skills. Unlike typically developing youngsters the child on the spectrum WILL NOT learn social and communication skills in the normal manner – ie: people watching, from peers and the environment.

For children on the autism spectrum direct teaching is generally needed. This direct teaching is done using autistic visual supports.

Access autistic visual supports to help you teach and calm your child with ASD visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com  where you will find immediate downloads of social stories as well as information on how visual supports for autism work.

You will also be able to access autistic visual supports like: communication cards, flash cards and visual social story cards and folders.

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/behavior

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

Children with autism have a variety of deficits which ARE common to autism. However the main deficits associated with the disorder are often referred to social skills deficits.

Characteristically social skills deficits affect three main areas of development: social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours.

 Unlike typically developing kids a child with ASD WILL NOT learn social skills through observation, peers, family and the environment and WILL NEED direct teaching to overcome social skills deficits.

There ARE numerous supports for autism which can be used to teach social skills to kids with autism such as social stories, picture communication cards, flash cards and so on..

These supports for autism ARE commonly referred to Visual Intervention Strategies and by large ARE used to support and teach social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours amongst other uses such as help with hygiene skills, puberty, activities and events the child with ASD may find confusing or stressful.

Many parents and teachers ARE able to teach social skills to kids with autism using Visual Intervention Strategies as they need NO FORMAL training to use and implement and are readily available online from experts like http://www.autismsocialstories.com

A social skills story is a short descriptive almost comic like in appearance story which shows a child with ASD what is happening and why. This WILL help to reduce unwanted stress, anxiety and confusion, which in turn WILL HELP the child with ASD feel more comfortable with and in the situation.

The social skills story WILL ANSWER the “wh” question – who, what, why, when and where 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 with autism.

Characteristically children with autism ARE VISUAL thinkers and learners, which makes social skills stories ideal. The social story should focus on one particular skill or behaviour that the child on the spectrum is struggling with and visually show and explain how and what is required of them and in return what they can expect from others.

A social skills story USES visual images/pictures a long with first person text and will always be written from the point of view of the child on the spectrum.

Children with autism fins social interactions difficult, the social skills story can act like a visual framework or plan which the child on the spectrum can follow and refer to in times of difficulty.

Social skills stories ARE USED in many situations for example: asking questions, joining in play, making friends, recess, getting a haircut, visiting a dentist, going to a birthday party and so on…

Teach social skills to kids with autism using social skills stories by visiting sites like http://www.autismsocialstories.com

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/preschool

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/behavior

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/hygiene

Commonly children with autism HAVE difficulties with social interaction and awareness skills and behaviours.

This is mainly due to “social skills deficits” or “The theory of mind” put simply deficits in three main areas of development can be expected:

Social skills

Communication skills

And Imagination skills

The theory of mind – social skills deficits WILL affect each individual differently no two people WILL ever be identical.

There is NO CURE for autism but there are various treatments of autism which help children with autism learn social skills. For example social skills stories, visual social story cards, PECS, flash cards and so on…

In order to help children with autism learn social skills parents and teachers should first observe the child to determine which skills/behaviours that the child with ASD is finding difficult or stressful.

Developed around twenty years ago visual intervention strategies like social stories ARE implemented to teach and re-enforce already learnt skills and behaviours.

A social story is a short descriptive story written to help teach a social skill, for example joining in play, asking questions, sharing and so on…

Typically intervention strategies like social stories need NO formal training to use and can be implemented quite easily.

Commonly social skills stories answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and WILL offer the chid with ASD an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most children with autism spectrum disorder.

The social story acts like a VISUAL PLAN OR FRAMEWORK of the skill/behaviour and looks much like a comic script.

All social stories ARE typically written in first person language and in a manner that the ASD child will understand.

The social story will help children with autism learn social skills by showing visually what they can expect and what others will expect of them.

Typically children with autism spectrum disorder ARE visual thinkers and learners which means that they think in images/pictures and will use speech/language as secondary, which makes visual intervention strategies like social skills stories ideal.

To learn more about social stories and how they can benefit your ASD child visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Or any of the following sites where you will be able to get downloads of social skills stories:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/preschool

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/behavior

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/hygiene

As with typically developing children every child with autism spectrum disorder is going to be different, with their own unique set of needs and abilities.

But unlike typically developing children a child on the autism spectrum WILL struggle to naturally learn social awareness skills and behaviours.

Autism is a neurological disorder which affects how the child on the spectrum processes information, thinks, acts, re-acts and behaves. These deficits ARE common to autism and are generally referred to as social skills deficits.

Although there is no cure for autism there ARE some very GOOD resources that can help. For example: Resources that can help teach social awareness skills to child with autism spectrum disorder like social skills stories, communication picture cards, flash cards and PECS.

Probably the most significant resource for teaching kids with ASD ARE social skills stories. These were first developed around twenty years ago by therapist Carol Gray.

Social skills stories for children with autism spectrum disorder ARE short descriptive stories which detail a skill, situation or behaviour that the child on the spectrum is struggling with.

Typically the vast majority of kids with ASD WILL have problems with social awareness skills, therefore social stories ARE implemented to help overcome these difficulties.

A social skills story WILL act like a visual framework or plan of the skill the child on the autism spectrum needs help with or is finding stressful – like for example making friends, asking questions, sharing and so on…

The social skills story WILL give exact information in a manner that the child on the autism spectrum CAN understand and always from the child’s own perspective, using first person text.

Visual images/pictures ARE a strong means of communication for ALL children with autism as they tend to be mainly VISUAL thinkers and learners, this makes social skills stories ideal.

Social skills stories for children with autism spectrum disorder WILL also answer the ever so important “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why as well as “how” and WILL also offer the child an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness on most kids with ASD.

Resources that can help teach social awareness skills to child with autism spectrum disorder such as social skills stories CAN be viewed at http://www.autismsocialstories.com where you will be able to gain immediate downloads of around 100 social skills stories.

These social stories may be edited and need NO formal training to use. We all use different terminology with our children therefore social stories need to be editable as well as printable so that they may be taken to wherever the child needs the help.

Visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Or http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/preschool

Typically ASD students have social skills deficits: this means that they WILL struggle with social awareness, communication and imagination skills. They may also display sensory processing and obsessive behaviours.

The characteristics of social skills deficits ARE common to autism spectrum disorder. Therefore teaching strategies for ASD students should be geared to help the ASD student overcome these difficulties.

Social skills ARE important especially in the classroom or school environment. Teaching social skills to ASD students CAN be achieved using Intervention Strategies.

Intervention Strategies should be visual, research shows us that the majority of those with autism spectrum disorder ARE visual thinkers and learners, this means that they think in pictures and use speech/language as a secondary language.

So using Visual Intervention Strategies is beneficial. There is a wide variety of Visual Intervention Strategies that CAN be used for teaching social skills to ASD students, such as autism social skills stories, communication picture cards, PECS and so on…

Visual Intervention Strategies like autism social skills stories are good teaching strategies for ASD students and CAN be implemented easily and will need NO formal training to use. They ARE simple short descriptive stories normally written to help teach a social, communication, imagination or behaviour.

For example a social story CAN be used to help the student with ASD to develop friendships, ask questions, stay on task, follow school rules, deal with recess and so on.

A social story will follow a set pattern of sentence type and WILL always be written from the ASD students own perspective. It should be Visual and written in word format to allow editing and personalization we all use different terminology and each story should allow for this.

Typically autism social skills stories answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, where and when as well as HOW and should offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in those with autism spectrum disorder.

Therefore teaching social skills to ASD students using social stories is beneficial. Communication picture cards ARE used in a similar manner. They are excellent for promoting communication skills. For example communication picture cards ARE useful at snack time and CAN be used as an exchange by the student with ASD: a card showing a picture CAN be given to the teacher as an exchange for what is on the card, for example an apple and so on..

Communication picture cards ARE also used effectively on Visual timetables, choices boards and around the classroom showing for example where the coat hooks are the bathroom, sink, pencil tray and so on…

To learn more about teaching social skills to ASD students using social stories and communication picture cards visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/school

http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a life long disorder which affects how an individual communicates and relates to other people. Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that includes many levels of disability from low non-verbal teens to high functioning Asperger Teenagers.

The teenage years for the majority of us are our most social years, but for teenagers with autism these years CAN be fraught with stress, tension, anxiety and confusion.

The transition from childhood to adolescents is called puberty, our bodies change, friendships change, our environment can often change, we develop sexually and we develop socially, our once accepted childish behaviours are now frowned upon and we are expected to “Grow up”.

So how WILL these changes affect a teenager with Autism Spectrum Disorder”?

Being autistic is NOT easy, and being the parent or teacher of an autistic teenager is NOT going to be an easy ride either!

However there ARE treatements which help you in supporting a teenager with Autism Spectrum Disorder like social skills stories. These ARE short descriptive pieces of text which ARE written to help children and teenagers cope with and understand skills, situations and behaviours which confuse of make them anxious.

The adolescent years and puberty ARE difficult subjects for parents and teachers to deal with, using social skills stories can help with autism and puberty, by answering the important questions who, where, what, when and whay as well as how and will offer an insight into whats happening and how other people are feeling, this is an area of marked weakness in most teenagers with autism,

A social story WILL act like a visual framework or plan showing the teen with ASD visually whats occuring. The social story is written from the perspective of the teen with ASD and WILL use first person text, it should be colourful and easy to edit as no two teens are the same and we all use different  terminology therefore editability is important.

Supporting a teenager with Autism Spectrum Disorder need not be fraught with battles social stories WILL help with autism and puberty, hygiene issues, self help issues, social awareness skills, communication difficulties and transitions as well as changes to routines which is also an area of difficulty for many autistic individuals.

To learn more about supporting a teenager with Autism Spectrum Disorder and to get immediate downloads of social stories for teenagers with autism visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/autistic_teens

Alternatively hygiene social stories for teenagers with autism can also be found at http://www.autismsocialstories.com/hygiene

Other social stories can be downloaded at: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

Individuals with autism ARE typically “Visual Thinkers - Visual Learners”, this means that they think in pictures and images and use speech / words as a secondary language.

“I think in pictures. Words are like a second language to me…when somebody speaks to me, his words are instantly translated into pictures… One of the most profound mysteries of autism has been the remarkable ability of most autistic people to excel at visual spatial skills while performing so poorly at verbal skills.” (Grandin, 1995).

Therefore presenting information and guidance visually will have a much better impact on individuals with autism.  There are a number of visual supports for autism which WILL help your child on the spectrum learn skills and behaviours that they find confusing, stressful or simply do not understand.

Autistic Visual Supports like: Social Skills Stories, Communication Picture Cards (flash cards), PECS and so on CAN be quickly and easily implemented and need NO formal training to use.

Social Skills Stories are short descriptive visual representations of a skill or behaviour. The social story breaks the skill down into smaller components, removes and un-necessary fluff or language and explains How and why something happens.

The social story answers the “wh” questions - who, what, where, why and when and provides an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most individuals with autism.

Autistic Visual Supports - Communication Picture Cards (flash cards) ARE small laminated cards depicting an image or skill. For eample the Communication Picture Cards can be USED as an exchange -  the child with ASD hands over a picture card in retuen for the item on the card  -for example an apple at snack time and so on.

The Communication Picture Cards are also USED on visual timetables, as pointers around the home or in school, on chices boards, now and next boards and as a communication tool.

Both Social Skills Stories and Communication Picture Cards ARE available from: http://www.autismsocialstories.com

To learn more about Autistic Visual Supports and how they can benefit your child with ASD visit today and download Social Skills Stories which can be adapted to suit individual needs, no two children are the smane and we all use different terminology with our kids, therefore it is important that the social story you choose is editable.

Visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com
http://www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills
http://www.autismsocialstories.com/autistic_teens
http://www.autismsocialstories.com/asperger_adolescents

Autism is a disorder that affects approx 1 in every 150 people born. The symptoms of autism include: social awareness deficits, communication deficits, imagination deficits, in many stereotypical behaviours and in most autistics sensory processing issues.

The teenage years are for the majority of us our most social years. But for teenagers with autism the teenage years can be stressful and confusing. During adolescents we develop socially what we say and how we act becomes important in the eyes of our peers.

So how do you cope if you don’t really understand the added pressure being an adolescent can bring with it?

Supporting a teenager with autism is very important especially during puberty.

For many teens with ASD using visual supports is beneficial. Typically those with autism ARE visual thinkers and learners, therefore visual supports ARE easier for the teen to understand.

Visual supports have been around for a long time and have been proven to work very well for those with autism. There are many different autism supports such as: social skills stories, PECS, flash cards, visual timetables and so on.

Today I am going to concentrate on probably the most significant of the autism supports - social skills stories for teenagers with autism.

Characteristically social stories ARE used to teach and re-enforce skills and behaviours that the person with autism is struggling with. For example a teen with ASD will have social awareness deficits, which could result in social isolation and misinterpretations of activities or events.

Social stories act like a visual plan or framework of a skill or behaviour that needs teaching or re-enforcing. The social story will break down the skill or behaviour into smaller easier to understand sections, using first person text and visual images / pictures it will describe the skill or situation from the child’s own perspective.

So for example during puberty our bodies develop and we need to be aware of personal hygiene - a social story can  help explain the need for this, as well as help re-assure the teen with ASD that what is happening to their body is perfectly normal.

The social story for teens with ASD should answer the “wh” questions - who, what, where, when and why as well as “how” and provide an insight into the thoughts and feelings of others which is an area of marked weakness for those with autism.

A social story for teens with ASD should help pave the way for positive behaviours, help with transitions, changes to routines, self - help skills, social awareness deficits, communication deficits and so on.

To find suitable social skills stories for teenagers with autism visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/autistic_teens

Or http://www.autismsocialstories.com

A diagnosis of autism spectrum can be upsetting for many parents all of a sudden your world is upside down. However a diagnosis of autism spectrum need not be met with fear. Autism spectrum is more common than you probably thought with 1 in every 150 babies born being given a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

As with typically developing children, all children with autism will also develop at varying rates, with no two kids on the spectrum having the same autism characteristics.

Some children with Low functioning autism may have other problems such as little or no speech, seizures and will normally have educational difficulties.

Those children with autism characteristics such as asperger syndrome will have average or above intelligence, however their speech may still develop slowly but will develop. This set of individuals are often referred to as the little professor or geeks!

However typical to all children with autism ARE “The Triad of Autistic Impairments” or social skills deficits.

Each individual’s deficits will vary, some kids on the spectrum may display severe social deficits whilst others may display less severe social deficits and be able to function quite well socially.

There is no cure for autism spectrum but there are various treatments for autism that will help teach social and communication skills to children with autism

Significantly many treatments for autism use visual information, this is because typically kids on the spectrum ARE visual thinkers and learners, meaning they think in pictures and language/speech is secondary.

Typically most kids on the spectrum find treatments for autism like social skills stories, visual social story cards and flash cards beneficial.

Probably one the major concerns for many parents of children with autism spectrum is their child’s difficulty with social development skills and behaviors for example making friends, asking questions, respecting personal space and so on.

A social skills story acts like a visual framework or plan of the skill or behavior that the child with ASD is struggling with. So for example id the child with ASD is struggling to approach and make friends with their peers the social story can outline the appropriate social cues and help guide the child with ASD to make friends.

For parents of children with autism spectrum, caregivers, autistic educators and other professionals using social skills stories as a strategy that will help teach social and communication skills to children with autism can be a real help.

Using social skills stories as a strategy that will help teach social and communication skills to children with autism was first introduced almost twenty years ago and has since proven to be one of the major jumps forward in the treatment of autism.

Autism social skills stories are short, descriptive and visually rich. The social story will generally follow a set formula of sentence type and will always be from the perspective of the autistic child.

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

Autism social skills stories are an effective tool strategy that will help teach social and communication skills to children with autism. Typically written in word format to make personalization and editing simple the social story also needs to be portable for convenience

Giving key focus to the vital points the social cues autism social skills stories are much like a comic strip, showing a detailed visual step by step plan of the skill or behavior being taught or re-enforced.

For immediate download of autism social skills stories that will help teach and re-enforce social, communication, imagination and interaction skills to ASD kids visit one of the following sites where you will find autism social skills stories and visual support cards for children and young people with ASD

www.autismsocialstories.com

www.autismsocialstories.com/visual_aids

www.autismsocialstories.com/social_skills

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

It is important to remember it is more useful to put strategies in place to help prevent inappropriate behaviours before they happen than to try and deal with the behaviour once it has occurred.

It is also important to remember that ALL behaviour displayed by kids with autism is for a reason an internal or external factor NEVER just because as with typically developing children.

Due to the triad of autistic impairments children with autism have a lack of social awareness, communication and imagination skills and behaviours.

It is therefore recommended that because of the triad of autistic impairments that any behaviour management for kids with autism is devised to help the child with ASD understand and cope with skills and behaviours that they struggle to understand and manage.

Help such as visual intervention strategies, which ARE used to help teach social awareness, communication and imagination skills and behaviours.

There are many different positive behaviour supports like visual intervention strategies such as: Social Skills Stories, Visual Social Story Cards, Flash Cards, PECS and so on…

Using Positive behaviour supports for ASD is beneficial.

For example positive behaviour supports for ASD can teach self-help skills, choice and decision making, routine changes, social awareness, communication skills and environmental changes as well as much more.

Probably one of the major strategies used is social skills stories – these are short descriptive pieces of text which can be used to help the child with ASD feel more comfortable with and in a situation.

Social Skills Stories use visual images to help explain a situation, skill, behaviour or event from the child’s own perspective. Typically kids with ASD are visual thinkers and learners; this means that they understand visual information easier than that which is written or spoken.

Noticeably kids with ASD have communication difficulties and find reading facial expressions and body language confusing, this is also due to their social impairments.

Having social impairments can make friendships difficult to build and maintain again positive behaviour supports for ASD can help alleviate this issue and help the child with autism develop friendships.

The social story will help answer the “wh” questions – who, what, why, when and where as well as “HOW” and will provide the child with autism an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most autistics.

The social story can act like a visual framework or plan of the skill being taught, it will focus on the key points or cues and suggest possible outcomes for the child with autism to follow.

To learn more about behaviour management for kids with autism and how social skills stories WILL help visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com