Using Social Stories to Explain the “New Normal”
This feels like a different world that we are living in recently! Stay at home orders, distance learning, social distancing, mask wearing, etc. are different for all of us, and can be particularly challenging for young children or kids with autism. Children with autism often struggles with changes in routine, or things that are unexpected. Social stories can help kids be prepared for things that could be different or new experiences
A social story is described by Carol Gray, creator of Social Stories, as a “social learning tool that supports that safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals and people with autism of all ages.” More simply put, for many children, a situation that is difficult to understand can be made more clear with the help of a simple story, with pictures and told in the first person. In a typical situation, for example, a child might need help understanding how he or she needs to behave in the cafeteria, or how to use the bathroom correctly at school. As we know, there are a number of NOT typical situations to get used to. Recently, a number of helpful resources have been developed to help kids to understand and cope with the new normal. For example, Carol Gray has developed a social story to help children understand what a pandemic is and the importance of good handwashing. More information is available on her website as well.
Pandemic Social Stories from Carol Gray
Coronavirus Social Stories from Carol Gray
COVID-19 Social Story: I Can Help from Carol Gray
Many children are complaining about being bored, since they have begun this involuntary staycation. Jessica Aguilar, a school psychologist from California, has written a social story to help children figure out how to cope with being bored at home. It also covers how to stay motivated with their online learning. Her video can be found here.
Kids may be worried when they see people wearing masks. Even for me, it catches my attention every time. Tara Tuchel, a speech language pathologist from Minnesota who specializes in autism, has developed a number of social stories for children about the need to wear a mark (both for them and for others) as well as a story to understand why they need to stay home right now. They are available without cost on this website, Autism Little Learners, and are available in English, Spanish and Russian.
A social narrative is a similar tool to help children understand necessary changes in the world right now. The Autism Society of North Carolina has a number of social narratives and other information as well, which can be found here.
A social story is described by Carol Gray, creator of Social Stories, as a “social learning tool that supports that safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals and people with autism of all ages.” More simply put, for many children, a situation that is difficult to understand can be made more clear with the help of a simple story, with pictures and told in the first person. In a typical situation, for example, a child might need help understanding how he or she needs to behave in the cafeteria, or how to use the bathroom correctly at school. As we know, there are a number of NOT typical situations to get used to. Recently, a number of helpful resources have been developed to help kids to understand and cope with the new normal. For example, Carol Gray has developed a social story to help children understand what a pandemic is and the importance of good handwashing. More information is available on her website as well.
Pandemic Social Stories from Carol Gray
Coronavirus Social Stories from Carol Gray
COVID-19 Social Story: I Can Help from Carol Gray
Many children are complaining about being bored, since they have begun this involuntary staycation. Jessica Aguilar, a school psychologist from California, has written a social story to help children figure out how to cope with being bored at home. It also covers how to stay motivated with their online learning. Her video can be found here.
Kids may be worried when they see people wearing masks. Even for me, it catches my attention every time. Tara Tuchel, a speech language pathologist from Minnesota who specializes in autism, has developed a number of social stories for children about the need to wear a mark (both for them and for others) as well as a story to understand why they need to stay home right now. They are available without cost on this website, Autism Little Learners, and are available in English, Spanish and Russian.
A social narrative is a similar tool to help children understand necessary changes in the world right now. The Autism Society of North Carolina has a number of social narratives and other information as well, which can be found here.
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