A hallmark of autism symptoms is struggling in social situations. Many individuals with ASD can’t read social cues such as facial expressions or body language. Most of the time, they have difficulty communicating their thoughts and feelings to peers. That’s why so few people with autism have friends. In addition, they don’t know how to act in certain situations or misbehave.
Social stories have emerged to lessen autism symptoms and teach children with autism basic life skills. Potty training, tooth brushing, what to expect on Halloween, or simple self-regulation rules can all be taught through social stories. The term social story was coined by Carol Gray, teacher and consultant, in 1991. She experimented with creating social stories to help children with autism prepare for various social situations. It helps keep the “audience” engaged, but the results are mixed.
Most people with autism learn through imitation, although they are easily overwhelmed in new situations. That’s why so many autistic children experience so many meltdowns when asked to go out and socialize. Luckily, most autistic kids can learn how to manage new situations through the help of social stories. Social stories are brief descriptions of a particular situation, event, or activity. They describe what the child should expect in a situation and why it happens so. The intention is to give the child something to rehearse, so he’s prepared for a specific scenario. It’s an excellent strategy for teaching essential safety issues, appropriate behavior, or encouraging them to try something new.
The stories are short and straightforward and present information in a literal way. It improves the child’s understanding of an ambiguous situation in a fun manner. You can adapt the content to the person’s unique needs, and people with autism will feel less anxious and more confident about tackling life. Discover more about this wonderful solution and how to create your own here.
