Understanding Autism: Social Stories and Their Role in Skill Development

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Understanding Autism Social Stories and Their
Role in Skill Development
www.aleebh.com
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ABOUT US
In 1991, Carol Gray coined and trademarked the
term social stories. It refers to a short,
narrative-style description of a particular event
or social scenario, broken down so that a
neurotypical child may find it easier to
understand. After reading a social story, a
child with autism or a related disorder will have
a deeper understanding of a specific scenario
that they may otherwise find daunting or
overwhelming. They know what to expect going in,
making the entire experience more pleasant.
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WHEN ARE SOCIAL STORIES USEFUL?
As mentioned above, social stories Autism provide
children with useful context about a new
situation or scenario they have not experienced
before. For example, they could be used to help a
child understand what will happen at their first
dentist appointment, especially if they are in
need of some kind of dental surgery.
Alternatively, a social story about starting a
new school could be useful if you have recently
moved to a new town or neighborhood.
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WHERE CAN I FIND SOCIAL STORIES?
Many social stories are available for purchase
online and you can see some samples from Carol
Gray here. However, many parents choose to curate
their own social stories for children with Autism
so that they can be more directly tailored to
their child or the situation they are trying to
explain.
For example, when writing your own social story,
you can include your childs name or the name of
others who may be involved, such as their doctor
or pediatrician.
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Children with autism often thrive in routine
environments. When they know what to expect out
of each day, they can prepare themselves
accordingly. New situations, even fun ones,
such as a playdate with a friend, are a clear
deviation from the norm, which, for many, can
therefore be challenging.
WHY DO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM BENEFIT FROM SOCIAL
STORIES?
Social stories help to reduce their fears and
anxieties surrounding this by taking the
unknown out of the scenario. They provide them
with a frame of reference that deepens their
understanding of new social situations. As such,
this can play a key role in encouraging children
to broaden their horizons moving forward.
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