Empowering Sensory Growth for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Using Illustrations
Illustrations are just as important as the text in a social story, but be mindful that they do not convey the wrong message.
Question to consider:
Which image would best fit the sentence “It is safe to walk to school with my friends”?
What is a Social Story™?
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A social story helps children understand the world around them.
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It is a true story that describes a situation (e.g., a supply teacher), a skill (e.g., taking a shower), or an idea (e.g., what is a mistake).
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It is researched, written, and illustrated according to ten defined criteria.
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It is not written to change children’s behaviour.
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It does not tell children what they think or feel.
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It does not instruct them on what they must do.
Instead of:
“I will not run away…”
Use:
“Why it is important to stay with adults on a trip.”
Structure of a Social Story™
Title and Introduction
Clearly state the topic:
“If I lose my toy, people can help.”
Body
Explain or describe the situation:
“Mum or Dad knows how to find my toy.
Mum or Dad and I will try to think and look.”
Conclusion
Reinforce the message and purpose:
“People can help me look for my toy.”
Choosing a Title
Some examples of well-formed titles:
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I will like playtimes.
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Going swimming is an exciting thing to do.
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Many people have fun at the circus.
Wring the Main Body – Example
Title: Going to the beach can be fun
Story:
My class is going to the beach on Tuesday.
We’ll ride on a bus to the beach.
Many children have fun when they visit the beach.
Beaches are made of sand and they are by the sea.
To stay safe, all children listen carefully to the teacher about what to do on the beach.
I sometimes feel scared of the sea, but Miss Turner will let me sit far back on the beach with her.
That way, we can all be safe on the beach and have fun.
Write You Own Social Story™
Choose a topic your child may need help to understand and use it as the theme of your story.
Write your title down on the planner and begin shaping the story.
Possible topics include:
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Having a go when work is difficult
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Losing a game
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Lining up at the end of playtime