Social Story Help... | Autism PDD

Hi Modernknome,

This looks really good!

I know I'm not fluent in writing social stories--heck, I've never even tried to write any. I do, however, remember reading something in the rules of social stories writing that it can be important to use the word "TRY" in sentences that are designed with the purpose of encouraging improvements in behavior. For example, your sentence that reads "I wait patiently and quietly for my sisters" would instead read "I TRY to wait patiently..." Doing this lets the child know that this particular statement means that there is something that they must work on, and gets them to begin thinking about their behavior. It also lets them know that it's okay if they don't succeed right away, just so long as they're trying.

I noticed that you used the word "sometimes" in the third paragraph, when talking about playing with the radio buttons in the car. What you did here is great, because using the word sometimes helps them to understand that there may be slight changes in the routine at times, and can help them learn to adapt to and accept an occasional variation.

I feel you are wonderful to take it upon yourself to work on learning and writing social stories in order to improve this situation, and others that may arise. I hope you keep up the good work, and please let us know how it turns out.

There's a lot of info on social stories in the current issue of Positively Autism. There a great links to the best sites across the web and even a video of Carol Gray giving an "introduction to social stories" talk. You can check it out if you like by going here: http://www.positivelyautism.com

Take Care--Dave

Bug comes with me to pick up the girls from preschool. Both days he has had massive meltdowns in the hallway while we are waiting for them (we can see them through a one way mirror).

What do you think of this? Any suggestions for changes would be great! (This is my first one).

My name is Bug.

I help my Mom pick up my Sisters at their school.

First, we drive to their school. Sometimes, after we park, my Mom lets me play with the radio buttons in the car for a few minutes – I like that!

Then, we walk up to the doors. We wait quietly on the steps until the big doors are open!

We walk up the stairs, and down the hall.

I can see my sisters in their room, but I stay very quiet, because they are listening to a story, and I don’t want to interrupt.

I wait patiently and quietly for my sisters.

When they are done, the teacher opens the door and they come out! They are so happy to see me!

If I want, I can say hello or goodbye to the teachers or parents or kids in the hall. I don’t scream.

I walk happily down the stairs, across the parking lot, and to the car with my Mom and sisters.

The End.

I think it sounds great! Are you going to include photos?

The only change I'd suggest is adding something about what he can do while he's waiting. Like maybe you can take along a fidget bag, and mention in the story that he gets to play with his special toys while he waits.

My son is 9 years old and waiting is a tough, tough thing. Good luck with this!

Thanks for your responses!

I will definitely edit the story to add the word "try". I had taken it out, because I wanted him to just do what I wrote

but now I understand why his first social story (written by his preschool teacher last year) had the word try in it...

I will add some pictures, too!

Thanks for the website, Dave - I will bookmark it and spend some time there, later!