Can I tell you about Autism? by Jane Telford

Author:Jane Telford [Jude Welton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857008299
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2014-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

SOCIAL STORIES™

As Tom has told you, someone with autism has difficulty making sense of the social world. Gaps in social understanding can easily lead to increased, stress, frustration and inappropriate behaviour. A key way of filling in the gaps in social understanding is to use Social Stories™.

This strategy was first developed in the USA by Carol Gray, when she was working in schools with children with autism and Asperger Syndrome. Since the 1990s, when the technique was devised, it has become part of “good practice” worldwide. Parents, teachers and other professionals can use Social Stories™, and research has shown the technique to be very effective in improving social understanding – and, consequently, social behaviour.

Social Stories™ are remarkably flexible, as they can be tailored to suit any child and any situation. They help the child make sense of social situations in terms of what happens, what’s expected, who does what, where, when, why, etc., and how other people might feel.

In Carol Gray’s words, “A Social Story™ describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social Story™ is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience.”

Social Stories™ can be used to:

•applaud and celebrate achievements and successful behaviour – so that the child knows when he has “done well”. For example, Tom’s parents could write him a Social Story™ celebrating him trying hard and learning to ride his bike

•prepare for upcoming events or change, so that the child can be reassured by knowing what is going to happen. For example, Tom’s teacher could write a Social Story™ about the fact that a new assistant will be joining the class

•reveal “the hidden social code” – provide the social information which most children pick up naturally, but which children with autism do not. Helping the child to understand the expectations of the social world enables him to learn new skills, develop appropriate behaviour, and reduce unwanted behaviour. For example, on page 29, you may remember that Tom’s parents wrote a Social Story™ to introduce him to the concept of standing “too close” to someone, to explain how that makes other people feel, and to guide Tom to stand at an appropriate/comfortable distance (“arm’s length away”) from people.

You may have noticed the ™ (trademark) sign every time the term Social Stories™ is written, and may wonder how Social Stories™ differ from any “social story” written to explain something ‘social’ to a child? Social Stories™ involve a very specific way of writing (with or without illustrations) according to guidelines Carol Gray has developed and fine-tuned over the years.

It takes time, training and perseverance to write a positive, patient, effective Social Story™, but it is worth it. It’s important to stick to the guidelines to avoid pitfalls. A possible pitfall is to see Social Stories™ as tools for providing a “quick fix” for “problem” behaviour, and if you’re not careful, you might find that you’ve slipped into negative language.

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