A Guide to Writing Social Stories (TM)

Introduction. Part 1. 1.1. Understanding Autism. 1.1.1. Mindblindness. 1.1.2. Getting the Gist. 1.1.3. Language and Communication. 1.1.4. Imagination, Memory, Time Perception, Planning. 1.1.5. Sensory, Interests, Preoccupations and Compulsions. 1.1.6. Strengths and Skills. 1.2. What is a Social Story? 1.2.1. What makes a Social Story different? 1.2.2. When should I write a Social Story? 1.2.3. What are they for? 1.2.4. What is different about children with ASD? Why are Social Stories important for them? 1.2.5. What are the Benefits of Social Stories? Part 2. 2.1. A Guide to Social Stories. 2.1.1. A Summary of how to write a Social Story including Jodie's Story. 2.1.2. Step I: The Goal and Gathering Information. 2.1.3. Step II: Writing the Social Story. 2.1.4. Implementing the Social Story. Part 3. 3.1. Gathering Information. 3.1.1. Worked example using the template (George) Why do people fart? 3.1.2. Worked example using the template (Matthew) Time to Think. 3.1.3. Worked example (Thomas) What happens when I have a Seizure? 3.1.4. When not to use Social Stories. Part 4. 4.1. Examples of Social Stories. 4.1.1. Why we go to school. 4.1.2. Working on my own. 4.1.3. Focussing and Concentrating. 4.1.4. Trying Hard at Swimming. 4.1.5. Joining School Swimming Lessons. 4.1.6. What is Respect? 4.1.7. Happy Playtimes. 4.1.8. Taking New Medicine. 4.1.9. Finding out about Archbishop Holgate's 6th Form. 4.1.10. Visiting the Dentist. 4.1.11. Why We Do Homework. 4.1.12. How to Take Tests. 4.1.13. Waiting to ask the Teacher a Question. 4.1.14. Going to Flamingo Land. 4.1.15. I am a Kind, Intelligent Person. 4.1.16. Spiderman is a Film Character. 4.1.17. Using Words that People Like. Part 5. 5.1. A Template for Making Sense of a Child's Behaviour and Planning Ways to Help. 5.2. Step by Step Flowchart. 5.3. Checklist. 5.4. Checklist (Short Version). References. Definition of Terms.

Williams and Wright's book argues that Social StoriesGäó are a powerful method for making life easier for kids with autism or Asperger Syndrome, to reduce the confusion that arises from 'mindblindness' and a piecemeal perception of the world. Social StoriesGäó provide clear explanations for social conventions in a rule-based way, thereby 'systemizing' the social world, to render it less confusing. Social StoriesGäó need scientific evaluation in a randomised control trial, but this book will help teachers learn how to implement this imaginative method.