Recently, a social story that uses bold print and images to teach actions to prevent the spread of germs caught my eye. While not knowing much about them, I shared anyway. Afterwards, I felt a sense of obligation to my readers to learn more. Here’s what I discovered about Social Stories for autism.
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Aids Socialization
Social Stories™ is a tool to help autistics communicate with others in an effective and acceptable manner. The stories provide guidance on how to handle social situations and outings. Readers gain a sense of a person’s frame of mind when in certain situations, and how to best respond. They are useful for parents, teachers, and therapists.
A Special Meeting
Carol Gray was a teacher at a Head Start preschool program. There she met David, the sole child in the class with autism. She noted her one-sided exchanges with him, and his meltdowns during transitions. This became the impetus for her to further her studies in special education.
An inspired educator
After graduation, she accepted a position as an autism teacher in Jenison, MI where she worked to place autistic children into general education classes and vocational placements. In 1986, due in part to her efforts, her school district was awarded a grant.
First social story
Carol Gray transitioned to a new position, that of autism consultant for all schools in the district. While in this role, she wrote a story explaining hand raising and waiting for a 14 year-old student with autism who blurted out answers in class. This would be the first of many Social Stories™.
Skill building
In addition to helping with socialization, social stories help build skills in children of all ages. Carol Gray felt high school students needed support after placement in vocational programs. So, her team wrote social stories with step-by-step instructions and drawings for tasks they were to do on the job. Social Stories™ are available to help younger children learn self-care skills. For example, tooth brushing, or getting dressed.
Authoring a Social Story
Even though Carol Gray developed Social Stories™, anyone can write one. However, her experience has taught her, the way in which they are written, matters. Social stories most effective with children and considered as evidenced-based, have certain criteria in place, 10 to be exact. These criteria have evolved over time. You can review what is currently being put into practice HERE or through watching Carol Gray explain in more detail below:
Any Published Studies Using Them?
In writing this blog post, I first researched Carol Gray. It didn’t take me long to become a fan. But, for due diligence’s sake, I set about exploring whether any studies had been done using her claim to fame. I was heartened to discover not only were there studies done, a few used Social Stories™ as the stand-alone intervention. In my opinion, this aspect really speaks to their effectiveness.
In an inclusive classroom
A 2008 (Chan & O’Reilly) study found Social Stories™ to be effective with two boys enrolled in general education kindergarten classes. Both made off-topic comments, or noises during class. Hand raising and appropriate engagement with others were other areas of concern.
Steps:
- Each boy read 3 social stories with his teacher up to 4 times a week. Social story selections were based on areas in need of improvement. The child decided whether to read the story aloud, or silently. Or, have the story read to him. This took place before school over the course of several weeks.
- Then, the boy was asked three questions to check his understanding of the story. An incorrect response, or no response, resulted in having the child reread the text that answers the question.
- Finally, role-play to include the child and staff. The social situation in each story was described to the child along with the correct response. Students and staff alternated playing different roles.
Both boys received guidance during each of the steps if needed. Also, praise statements for appropriate participation. A teacher assistant noted each child’s socialization with their peers without disabilities. The data taken afterwards showed an increase in appropriate socialization and a decrease of inappropriate behaviors for both boys. And, the change in their behavior continued into the next school year!
Further Study
Another 2006 study (Delano & Snell) in the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions found positive results in 3 young children with autism and their interactions with 6 nondisabled peers. After Social Stories™ were introduced in a manner similar to the study just mentioned, the children spent longer intervals of time socially engaging with others.
Available for Purchase
My Social Stories Book– Short narratives especially helpful for autistic preschoolers aged 2-6, contains over 150 stories. Targets both skills and experiences
Comic Strip Conversations– a short book that teaches basics for writing comics using stick figures (or cut/paste pictures) & speech bubbles
- child writes and draws out dialogue with others
- teaches social skills in a visual way
The New Social Story Book-15th Anniversary edition, ready to use stories for children & adults with autism. Teaches social skills for home, school, work & community
Learn More at the Website
On her website, Carol Gray freely shares early Social Stories and journal issues for you to review or download. The content is well-written and informative. Since they were scanned in their true form, you’ll enjoy the old school ‘mimeograph’ text and past contexts.
Or, head on over to Carol’s Club page. There, you can subscribe for FREE (as of Feb. 2020), to access Social Stories, articles and materials. Also, find links to articles such as this one on bullying titled Gray’s Guide to Bullying, published in 2004.
In Conclusion:
The information I discovered about Social Stories™ made my heart smile. I especially enjoyed learning about Carol Gray and her dedication to helping autistic learners. As far as the concept goes, I like how they hone in on specific behaviors in a visual way. They are readily available online. Or, try your hand at writing one yourself. All in all, a nice addition to any book nook.
Check out: Social Distancing at Home social story
Hopefully you enjoyed discovering along with me. 🙂 ~Elena
References
Bezark, M. J. (2003). Carol Gray: An engineer of literature for ASD children. Unpublished manuscript.
Chan, J.M, O’Reilly, M.F. Social Stories Interventions Package for Students with Autism in Inclusive Classroom Settings Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2008 Fall; 41(3): 405–409. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-405
Delano, M, Snell M.E. The Effects of Social Stories on the Social Engagement of Children with Autism Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions;Austin Vol. 8, Iss. 1, (Winter 2006): 29-42.
Gray, C. A. (2013). Answers for Samantha. Correspondence