Social Stories (Special Education)
Social tales are concise narratives that aim to assist individuals (mainly those with autism spectrum disorders), in comprehending social situations and suitable responses. They form an integral part of special education as they are the mediums through which social education is addressed and the avenues through which students acquire social skills in a structured manner.
A Social Story generally comprises several vital parts: a title, an introduction that introduces the situation, the descriptive sentences that indicate the surroundings, perspective sentences that express other people's minds, directive sentences that advise the right course of action, and a conclusion that reiterates the social behavior's importance. For instance, in a Social Story about a visit to a doctor's office, the facts would be as to what one should expect, e.g.' The doctor will check my height and weight,' and some suggestions like 'I can ask questions if I feel confused.'
Social stories are personalized by meeting the individual with their pace. This includes consideration and respect for the language the individual prefers, the consistent use of their personal experiences, and the involvement of visual supports such as pictures or symbols. For example, a child who has difficulty with transitioning from one event to another can read a Social Story that shows a scenario similar to moving from playtime to snack time where visual aids explain each phase of the change.
The use of Social Stories is common across different environments like classrooms, homes, and therapy sessions. These are especially valuable while the child is having changes in life, starting something new, or mastering particular social skills. For instance, a child can use a Social Story to get ready for the first day of school by describing what they will do, who they will meet, and how to express their feelings, thus anxiety is reduced.
Research provided by the company ending" pegs the" Social Stories as one of the most effective ways to enhance social skills, reduce anxiety, and improve communication for autism-affected individuals. Observations have revealed that Social Stories can give rise to the behavior changes such as social interaction innovations and social cue better knowledge. For example, it can be the case that a piece of research indicates that students who have the habit of the regular use of Social Stories are better at expressing their will for communication with classmates than those who lack it.
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