How Do I Write Them? Meridith Pettigrew 2012. Developed by Carol Gray and as defined by her website a social story describes a situation, skill, or.

SOCIAL STORIES…How Do I Write

Them?

Meridith Pettigrew 2012

SOCIAL STORIES Developed by Carol Gray and as defined by

her website 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 explain abstract ideas in a patient and reassuring manner. (something different, what’s expected)

It’s important to highlight existing as well as targeted appropriate behavior.

SOCIAL STORIES Describe situations, skills, or

concepts in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses

Use positive language and states desired behaviors positively

If you do mention negative behaviors, speak of them briefly “Sometimes people make mistakes…”

SOCIAL STORIES -- RECAP Describe what behavior should look like Use first person Should practice or read often Format

StorybookOne page

WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT Susie won’t stand in line Why children stand and walk in lines What it’s like to be in a line How children know when it’s time to

stand in a line

POSSIBLE TOPICS - SCHOOL How much time on the computer Running in the classroom Behavior on a field trip What to expect on a field trip Substitute teacher

Examples!

POSSIBLE TOPICS - HOME Brother has baseball practice Mom is going out of town Staying in your bed at night What I can take to bed at night Going on a Dr. Appointment It’s raining

Picture of a house

SOCIAL STORIES---FOR ADULTS! Have you ever need a social story?

Spouses do!

Friends do!

Our children do!

I have!

I like my computer. I work on my computer a lot.

Sometimes computer software has updates.

Updates can be good.

I should be happy.

At first the updates will look weird and the tool bar will look very different!

I like my old tool bar.

UPGRADING TO WINDOW’S 2007

It might take me some time to get used to the new tool bar. I should take a deep breath and just try.

If I can't find a certain command that I used in the previous version of word, I shouldn’t panic.

I can learn from an online tutorial like this one http://www.baycongroup.com/word2007/01_word2007.html

Maybe, just maybe I will like this new version……eventually

It’s ok to be mad or frustrated.

But I should not yell or scream at the computer guy. He is just doing his job.

I need to be calm.

My

Staff

need

them

Typical

Students

can benefit

too!

Real

Student

Examples

FIRST PERSON

Each child has two parents. I have two parents. Some parents live in one house. They are married. Some parents live in two houses. These parents are divorced.

My parents are divorced. They live in two houses. My mom lives in one house. My dad lives in the other.

What is the difference between these two phrases??

USE TITLES Teaches “gist” or goal Can be a question, “What Will We Do at the

Zoo?” “How Will We Get to the Zoo?” “Why Do Parents Hire Babysitters?”

TYPES OF SENTENCES

Descriptive Sentences* The main type of sentences* Truthful, opinion* Assumption free statements of facts* Opinions of neurotypical people * Answer Wh- questions

TYPES OF SENTENCES Perspective Sentences * Thoughts and feelings of other people “ Some people believe in Santa Claus”

“ When I hit someone, they feel sad”

TYPES OF SENTENCES Affirmative Sentences

* Express/share a commonly shared opinion but not opinions of individuals or small groups* Enhance the meaning of surrounding text

Examples: “This is important” “This is OK”Many people wear bike helmets. This is as safe thing.

My schedule will change. This is ok.

TYPES OF SENTENCES Directive Sentences

* Identify a suggested response* Identify choice of responses to a social concept, gently directing the behavior

* Carefully develop these sentences, paying close attention to the possibility of literal interpretation. For ex., using phrases like I will or I can may lead the student to believe the response must be completed exactly as written with no room for error

USE PICTURES BoardMaker, real-time, clip art Avoid a lot of pictures Individualize to the student

One generalOne per text line

ALSO… Fill in the blank sentences or circle the

correct answer * Predict a next step * Make a guess about someone else * Make a guess about their own response * Demonstrate understanding

When it is time for lunch my teacher usually___During recess I may choose to____

When it is raining I should cry and yell or find something fun to play inside.When it time for bed I should throw a fit of hug my mom and go to my room.

FORMAT One sheet Several lines Storybook

Read at circle time Read at bedtime

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL STORIES Pick a calm and quiet place For young kids, sit to the side and

slightly back Introduce the story with a simple,

straightforward approach Have others read the story to the

student Common sense dictates review You may not want to fade a social story

(Kayla example)

PATRICK READING…

Type in Word and then print with multiple pages on one 8x11 sheet

KAYLA READING…

MODIFIED--

Using

Student

Interest

SOCIAL STORY WEBSITES -- 1 http://www.thewatsoninstitute.org/teacher-

resources2.jsp?pageId=2161392240601226415747290

http://www.ccsd.edu/littleTor.cfm?subpage=1804

http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/ http://www.thegraycenter.org/ http://www.fcps.edu/ss/its/howtos/socstor/

socstories.htm

SOCIAL STORY WEBSITES -- 2 http://www.kansasasd.com/KSASD/

Home_.html http://www.sandbox-learning.com/ http://www.do2learn.com/ http://www.autism4teachers.com/

autism4teachers_013.htm http://www.fcps.edu/ss/its/howtos/socstor/

My%20Hello%20Book.pdf http://www.autisminspiration.com/public/

department47.cfm

Social Story Readers Resource Package

The New Social Story Book : Illustrated Edition by Carol Gray

Writing with Symbols

http://www.sandbox-learning.com

In-service Training

Staff: ____________________________Date: ____________________________

Topics: Howgain a better understanding of the rationale behind social stories,how to write social stories for your classroom or home,

make and take session

Credit Received: 2 hours

Meridith Pettigrew

Director of Autism Services

The King’s Daughters’ School