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 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.

 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…”

 Describe what behavior should look like  Use first person  Should practice or read often  Format  Storybook  One page

 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

 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!

 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

 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.

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 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.

 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??

 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?”

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

 Perspective Sentences * Thoughts and feelings of other people “ Some people believe in Santa Claus” “ When I hit someone, they feel sad”

 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.

 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

 BoardMaker, real-time, clip art  Avoid a lot of pictures  Individualize to the student  One general  One per text line

 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.

 One sheet  Several lines  Storybook  Read at circle time  Read at bedtime

 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)

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

 resources2.jsp?pageId=  4    stories.htm

    ers_013.htm  %20Hello%20Book.pdf  tment47.cfm

Social Story Readers Resource Package The New Social Story Book : Illustrated Edition by Carol Gray Writing with Symbols

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