Social Stories™

Social Stories™ are absolutely great for anyone with Autism and other additional needs to understand a certain situation, activity or event. It is information which is put together using text and pictures to take an individual through what is going to happen and to plan out the process enabling them to reach their goal. 

You may have seen something like this if you have been watching the A Word. In the episode where Joe's parents were given a chance to get away for the weekend Joe was given a booklet of events which helped him explain what would happen while mum and dad were away. He could see visually what to expect and process that information in his own time. This booklet can then be revisited at any time for reassurance if needed.

Social Stories™ were created by Carol Gray in 1991 and the terms "social story" and "social stories" are trademarks owned by Carol Grey. What a great creation as well. We have used these stories many times and the picture above is just a series of pictures which helped my son get into his morning routine when he first started his college. I made them from Makaton symbols which I then laminated and stuck a piece of magnetic tape on the back hence they now stick on our freezer. He doesn't need them now but they were handy at the time.

You can do a similar thing if you want to tackle a task such as brushing teeth, just make a chart with pictures on and a short description and hang it in the bathroom in view so that it acts as a reminder every day and night. It really can be adapted to any situation and you can make them as personalised as you like by either using basic pictures or taking photos which may include the individual themselves in each stage. You can get very creative.

If you'd like more information about Social Stories™ you can go to the NAS website here at: 
www.autism.org.uk/about/strategies/social-stories-comic-strips.aspx

You can also find many books on Amazon and I'll include a link below (affiliated) for you to take a look at for now though I hope this helps and please give it a go as it can really work. 

Please join me again tomorrow for Pass the Remote - till tomorrow take care.

You can find a selection of books following this link: carol grays social story