SOCIAL STORIES FOR AUTISM

SOCIAL STORIES FOR AUTISM

Autism is the mental condition in which one finds it difficult to communicate or form a relationship with others. This condition in children can be alleviated by the use of social stories; an effective and easy way of teaching children with special needs, and impart them with the right behavior. These can either be written or visual cues that help children navigate through unfamiliar social situations and give them a better understanding to know how others feel and why they should respond with the appropriate behavior. Social skills are essential in a child’s development, and with autistic children, they benefit in such ways:

1. Better understanding and follow routines
2. Gain an insight into others perspective
3. Encouraging the identification of essential cues and clear communication
4. Promote better self-awareness
5. Understand how their behavior impacts others

Benefits of social stories in autistic children

• Better understanding and mental development

Reading and re-reading social stories that include series of events helps children practice memory skills which include prediction and how to respond in new circumstances that may arise

• Gain insight on others perspectives

Social stories address the feelings and opinions of characters meaning several points of view can be represented. When children are exposed to other perspectives, it encourages the development of empathy or understandings of how one action of others affect and impacts others. Definite choices are also presented in the stories, and this can help the autistic child to make the right choices.

• Promote better self-awareness

Creating social accounts for autistic children is an opportunity to connect the child’s personal experiences and build their current understanding of how their actions can impact others .they are more likely to learn from strategies obtained from social stories if they can reminisce them

• Encouraging the identification of essential cues and clear communication

Social accounts make the children aware of what is expected from them, this creates an understanding of the specific instructions they are given thus they are  better prepared to learn strategies and norms that follow them through

Routines that parents with autistic children can put in place

• Reward good behavior

Positive reinforcement can go along with autistic children, make an effort to catch them doing something right,praise them when they learn a new skill, and act appropriately. The reward can be giving them a sticker for memory purposes or letting them play with their favorite toy. Having the memory of the specific behavior, they are always praised of gives them the urge to behave more appropriately

• Create a home safety zone

Perpetuate a pleasant and safe space in your home where your child can relax and feel secure. This can be organizing and setting boundaries in a way your child can understand visual cues can be helpful in such. You may also safety proof the house mainly if your child is prone to tantrums or self-injuries.

• Pay attention to your child sensory sensitivities

Many autistic children are hypersensitive to stimuli. Figure out what kind of incentives trigger your kid’s harmful or disruptive behavior and what elicits a positive response, what they find stressful, calming, and comfortable. If you understand what affects your child, you will be better at troubleshooting problems, preventing the situation that causes difficulties, and creating successful experiences.

Tips a parent can use to help a child with autism go through the day with ease

• Use of visual prompts

This helps your child gain new social skills or remember social skills as already learned. Depending on the child’s learning needs, visual prompts might be pictures, words, checklists, or prompt cards. You can use names or images to show your child how to play a particular game

• Train your child on social skills

This helps the child to develop social skills in a structured way. Social skills can be imparted in such children though children’s pre-school or school in session with a psychologist, speech pathologist and other health professionals such programs can help your child to interact well with peers freely

• Using social skills in different situations

Children with autism can find it challenging to use the social skills they have learned in other locations.To help your child user skills at school, talk to your child’s teacher to make sure you are both using the same prompts for your child. It also helps to practice the same social skills in different situations.

In summary of the above-mentioned deal with autistic children can be achieved through the use of social stories, praising any form of improvement behaviorally, and frequent training in social skills alongside understanding what they find irritating and what they seem to enjoy.