I’m at the cross walk. I look down, hesitant, and scared. Oh, what do I do?
The cars are flying by one by one.
The cars are flying by one by one.
Crossing the street, appropriate attitude, and riding a city bus are some of the many challenges for those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and other intellectual/developmental disabilities. That’s why there is a need for Authors, people like you and me, to write social stories that will or may enhance these life skills.
Social stories, created by Carol Gray in the 1990’s, are a science and an art that describes a context, skills, and an achievement. Social stories may help children with ASD because of the hypothesis that individuals with Autism lack a “theory of mind” (Baron-Cohen, Leslie & Frith, 1985;Frith & Frith, 2003). A theory of mind is being able to understand your own beliefs, intentions, emotions and ‘put yourself in another person’s shoes’. The Salley Anne Test has been used to test the theory of mind of those with ASD. See example of the Salley Anne Test here: http://www.educateautism.com/infographics/sally-anne-test.html. Some individuals with ASD may pay attention to irrelevant details and fail to understand the whole meaning of those situations, also known as having a weak central coherence (Kokina & Kem, 2010, p. 813). The goal is not to change the behavior but to clarify the social/life expectations that lie before them.
Now, a social story is not just like any other story. An author of a social story needs to follow specific directions for it to be a successful social story. They can be a fun learning experience, if done well. From my own experience and thanks to Carol Gray’s resources, I have compiled several pointers and the 7 types of sentences that can be used in a social story. At the end, you will be able to read my very own social story on how to cross the street.
How to write a Social Story?
There are 7 types of sentences authors can use:
(Note: Authors are encouraged to use at least Descriptive, Perspective, Directive, and Affirmative in their social stories)
Carol Gray created a specific resource to help authors re-check and improve their social stories. It’s found here: http://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/It-is-NOT-a-Social-Story-if....pdf
Now for my social story! Drum roll please…
Bethany Crossing the Street
Bethany is going to Dollar General to buy a candy bar. She can get there by crossing the street. She will stop before the crosswalk. She will try to listen for cars and traffic. She will look left, right, and left. This is very important. She will wait for the road to be clear with cars from all directions. Sometimes, cars can be seen far, far, away. This is okay. Sometimes, cars like to stop for her. This is okay. When the cars are clear from all directions or stopped, she can walk with her eyes across the crosswalk. When she reaches the other side of the crosswalk, she will walk across the parking lot with her eyes so that she is aware of all cars.
We'd love to hear your social story! Please feel free to share yours with us below.
Social stories, created by Carol Gray in the 1990’s, are a science and an art that describes a context, skills, and an achievement. Social stories may help children with ASD because of the hypothesis that individuals with Autism lack a “theory of mind” (Baron-Cohen, Leslie & Frith, 1985;Frith & Frith, 2003). A theory of mind is being able to understand your own beliefs, intentions, emotions and ‘put yourself in another person’s shoes’. The Salley Anne Test has been used to test the theory of mind of those with ASD. See example of the Salley Anne Test here: http://www.educateautism.com/infographics/sally-anne-test.html. Some individuals with ASD may pay attention to irrelevant details and fail to understand the whole meaning of those situations, also known as having a weak central coherence (Kokina & Kem, 2010, p. 813). The goal is not to change the behavior but to clarify the social/life expectations that lie before them.
Now, a social story is not just like any other story. An author of a social story needs to follow specific directions for it to be a successful social story. They can be a fun learning experience, if done well. From my own experience and thanks to Carol Gray’s resources, I have compiled several pointers and the 7 types of sentences that can be used in a social story. At the end, you will be able to read my very own social story on how to cross the street.
How to write a Social Story?
- They need to have a title, introduction, body, conclusion, and positive language. We as authors describe what should happen versus what should not.
- For young adults and older adults, authors use third person (they, he, she). Along with third person, I like to use the audience name for it to be more real to the user. Language and presentation (including pictures) should be adjusted accordingly to age. One thing that I like to do is allow the student to draw the pictures out. This allows us to assess their understanding of the story.
- Teach with the title! The title needs to display the most important concept of the story.
- Present it in a positive and calm way.
There are 7 types of sentences authors can use:
(Note: Authors are encouraged to use at least Descriptive, Perspective, Directive, and Affirmative in their social stories)
- Descriptive- Answers the ‘wh’ questions (where, who, what, when, and why) EX: She leaves for spring break on Friday, March 18.
- Perspective- The opinions, feelings, ideas, beliefs, or physical/mental well-being of others. EX: The Res Life staff likes it when students respect each other.
- Directive – Gently offers a response or range of responses for behavior in a situation. Avoid using “I must and “I have to”. Authors should use statements such as “I can, “I will”, “I will try”, “I might like”.
- Affirmative – Statements that enhance the meaning and importance of previous statements. EX: This is very important. This is okay.
- Co-operative – What can help me? Sentences which identify how others may be assistance to the audience. EX: Miss Schumacher can help me with my conflict resolution skills.
- Partial – Fill in the blank sentences which allow the audience to guess the next step in a situation (great use for an assessment) EX: My friends like it when I am _____ (talking to them in a calm voice).
Carol Gray created a specific resource to help authors re-check and improve their social stories. It’s found here: http://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/It-is-NOT-a-Social-Story-if....pdf
Now for my social story! Drum roll please…
Bethany Crossing the Street
Bethany is going to Dollar General to buy a candy bar. She can get there by crossing the street. She will stop before the crosswalk. She will try to listen for cars and traffic. She will look left, right, and left. This is very important. She will wait for the road to be clear with cars from all directions. Sometimes, cars can be seen far, far, away. This is okay. Sometimes, cars like to stop for her. This is okay. When the cars are clear from all directions or stopped, she can walk with her eyes across the crosswalk. When she reaches the other side of the crosswalk, she will walk across the parking lot with her eyes so that she is aware of all cars.
We'd love to hear your social story! Please feel free to share yours with us below.
 | Hannah Schumacher |
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