Social Stories for Autistic Children

“Alright, so I think the best way to help Declan is to work with the reward chart in the classroom.  If he is able to complete two writing assignments during the day, then we will send the chart home for you to sign and to be rewarded – that way Declan knows we are ALL working on this.  I will push for more OT time to work on writing skills.  And I will work with his social skills person to create a social story to help him with his frustration when he is in the classroom.”

After coming home a few days somber and stating, “I had a bad day.  I don’t want to go back anymore.  Kindergarten is too hard!” I talked with Declan’s teacher.  She had seen him getting upset as well and had come up with the plan above.

Did I tell you already I think she is the best?

A day later, a social story comes home.  And I read Declan’s social story, “What I Can do When I Feel Mad” by Declan.

“Sometimes I feel mad in school.  I feel mad when I have to do classwork that is hard.

When my body gets mad, my body gets tight and I don’t want to do my work.  It is okay to feel mad or frustrated in school, as long as I stay calm.

To help me stay calm, I will take a deep breath and raise my hand to ask  for help!

If I stay calm and use my strategies, my teachers and classmates will be happy!”

There were PECS or pictures on every page to give a visual of the words on the page.

The social story, the added support, the reward chart – all made for a Declan that was willing to work on writing, something Declan finds very challenging.  So that is a success!

I have created social stories in the past for Declan, to help him understand emotions and also, to help him go to the dentist.  I think they are great!

Autism Parenting Magazine provided me this infographic about social stories.  If you click the image you will be taken to their blog and be provided with more information on the topic.  Check it out!