Social Stories

Glenwood, Inc. The Autism and Behavioral Health Center Teacher Training 2013

Social Stories 10.0 Abbreviated – Carol Gray

1. Share accurate social information; 50% of time applauds achievements

2. Intro clearly identifies topic, body adds detail, and conclusion reinforces and summarizes information

3. Answers “wh” questions

4. Written from 1st or 3rd person

5. Uses positive language

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories 10.0 Abbreviated – Carol Gray

6. Always contains descriptive sentences

7. Describes, more than directs, follows formula

8. Tailored to abilities and interest of audience; usually literally accurate

9. May include illustrations

10. Title meets all applicable Social Story Criteria

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories Descriptive Sentences

Descriptive – factual statements that are free of opinions and/or assumptions

Samples

My name is ________________.

Sometimes, my grandmother reads to me.

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories Perspective Sentences

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Perspective – describe a person’s internal state, their knowledge/thoughts, feelings, beliefs, opinions, motivation, or physical condition

Samples

Some people have fun at school (opinion).

Some children believe in Santa Claus (belief).

Social Stories Cooperative Sentences

Cooperative – identify what others will do to assist the child

Sample

My mom, dad, and teachers will help me as I learn to use the toilet.

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories Directive Sentences

Directive – gently guide the behavior of the child by identifying a suggested response or choice or responses to situation or concept; often begin with

“I will try…” “I will work on…” “I may try…”

Sample

I will try to keep quiet.

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative – enhance the meaning of surrounding statements and often express a commonly shared value or opinion

Sample

This is a good idea.

This is very important.

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories Control Sentences

Control – statements written by a child to identify personal strategies to recall and apply information

Sample

Can be anything child wants to help remember information.

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Stories Partial Sentences

Partial – statements that incorporate fill in blanks Often used to check comprehension

Encourage child to make guesses regarding next step in situation

Can be used with any of the six types of sentences

Sample When I need help, I will try to ask _____, _____,

or _____.

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Story Formula

Two categories for sentences

Describe – descriptive, perspective, cooperative, and affirmative; answers “wh” questions

Direct – directive and control

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Story Formula

Looks Complicated -

Easy way – no more than 0 -1 direct/control sentences to 5 -6 descriptive sentences

Image Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI. Source: AZ Education Cadre. October 2007.

Creating Your Social Story

Remember using “I will try….” are good sentences, but they are directives. Keep them to a minimum!

Creating a social story using only directives then becomes a book of rules for that particular situation.

Often children with ASD are rigid with their rules. We want to deter from creating rule books for them.

For each sentence in your story, note the type of sentence you used.

At the end of your story, list all types of sentences and state if you met the formula.

NEVER say Never! Avoid absolute terms (always, never, this will work, etc.)

Social Story Tailoring

Story Length

Organization and Sentence Structure

Modifications in vocabulary and literal accuracy

Creativity

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Story Title

Shares information about topic or most important part of story

May pose or answer “wh” questions

Written in 1st or 3rd person

Uses positive language

Easily understood and interesting

Sometimes has an illustration

Source: Gray, C. (2004). Social stories 10.0. Jenison, MI.

Social Story Example

“My Circle Time Story” For a preschool child Created by: Angelique Harber

This sentence is an example of a descriptive sentence. It is telling a factual statement.

This is an example of a perspective sentence. It is referring to another’s thoughts or opinions.

Another perspective sentence.

This is an affirmative sentence. Most preschoolers find sitting in circle time for a lengthy period to be difficult.

This sentence could be directive or control. Directive in that it is guiding the child in a choice. Control in that the child could have helped write these choices.

This is a perspective sentence stating how the teacher will feel if a positive choice is made.

This is an affirmative sentence. It can be seen as a shared idea or opinion.

Sentence Formula

Did we stick to the formula?

We have… 1 Descriptive

3 Perspective

2 Affirmative

1 Directive/Control

This story follows the formula by having no more than 0 -1 directive or control sentences to 5 -6 descriptive, perspective, affirmative, or cooperative sentences.

Pre-Cursor to Social Stories

Use a mini-schedule to give information in form of a social story

Eating in the Cafeteria

Writing a Social Story: team corrections

In the cafeteria, many people are talking.

The cafeteria could be loud and make me nervous.

I will try to sit in the first open seat I see.

I will try to use my hands to eat, then draw.

If I need help, I can ask ______, _______, or ________ for help.

I can talk to people around me or stay quiet.

I will try to leave the cafeteria when the bell rings then go to math.

What’s This Story’s Ratio?

Directive Sentences

Descriptive/Perspective ____

Let’s Fix It! What’s Our Ratio?

Directive/Control Sentences

Descriptive-Type Sentences

Things to think about

Type of visual—

Icons vs picutures

Use individual’s name vs pronouns

When do you read?

Example—daily or prior to an event

You are wasting your time if you read a social story

during a behavioral meltdown. The student will not be able to focus/ hear the story at that moment.

Resources

www.thegraycenter.org/ www.frsd.k12.nj.us/autistic/Social%20Stories/social_stories.

htm\

This website has lots of stories already created, but they tend to be more rule books than social stories.

This is a starting point for stories you can re-create.

Questions