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For a child, knowing what is happening in your day helps you to feel calm - you know you’re safe, and nothing bad is going to happen. But the unknown can catch you off guard and can make you anxious. When you’re anxious, your behaviour changes.
If you have a communication difficulty, spoken words can be hard to process. As soon as words are spoken, they’re gone, leaving you trying to remember what was said, and what it meant. If more words are spoken while you’re trying to process the previous words, the processing becomes much harder. Words pile up, and it becomes even harder to dig out the meaning.
This can lead to overwhelm and frustration
Using an alternative form of communication such as visual symbols can make communicating change much more achievable because it is consistent, and more straightforward for everyone.
A visual timetable is a simple list of images that show someone what is happening in their day. Display them one after the other to represent your child’s day, and then change them around each day to show what is happening.
If a whole list of pictures is too much at once, you could try a Now and Next board—a simple chart which breaks the information down into just two steps by attaching pictures showing the next two things coming up. This is great for those who struggle to process language or cope with change, and it can be used to support a child as they transition from one activity to another.
Social stories were first created by an American, Carole Gray in 1991.
They are short descriptions of a particular situation, event or activity, which include specific information about what to expect in that situation and why. It’s a child friendly way to give a child information. I have used social stories to help children learn a new skills, to master a new situation or to stop an unwanted behaviour.
All social stories require specifically defined language and format which is at the child’s level of understanding and in picture forms.
This can be a quick basic drawing to computer printed out pictures or photographs of the child in the situation. Having pictures with the writing can be an easier way for the child to remember.
How to write a social story?
Write it as if you are the child. Even better - these stories can be written with your child! If your child is involved in writing the story, they will be more willing to read it and put it into practise.
- First think about the subject – For this example we will base it on unwanted hitting
- Write a basic sentence – Sometimes I get angry and mad
- Explain what happens next – When I get mad, sometimes I hit other people.
- Validate their feelings – It’s ok to feel mad but it’s not ok to hit.
- Explain why – When I hit I hurt other people.
- Give them other ideas to change – Instead I can do deep breathes, I could tell someone, I could squeeze a fidget toy.
- Ending – This will help me feel calm and make people happy.
As you can see, a social story is short and to the point, this is to keep the child’s attention. These stories are to be read throughout the day at times when a child feels safe and calm.
We can always help you write a social story but there are many free ones on line you can adapt for your own situation. We have shared some common ones below.
An excellent you tube video to explain more on social stories can be found by watching this you tube video – Using Social Stories to explain situations
Other links for free social stories that can be adapted
Social Stories for Autism & Learning Difficulties – Free Social Work Tools and Resources: SocialWorkersToolbox.com
Social stories and comic strip conversations (autism.org.uk)
https://reachoutasc.com/resources/downloadable-resources/ also has some great ones already made!
https://carolgraysocialstories.com/
The Zones of Regulation is a framework designed to support the development of self‑regulation and emotional control.
Self‑regulation is a skill that everyone continues to develop throughout life, whether they are consciously aware of it or not. At times, we all face situations that challenge our ability to cope.
By learning to recognise when we are becoming dysregulated, we can take steps to manage our emotions and return to a balanced, healthy state.
While this ability develops naturally for some individuals, others need it to be explicitly taught and practised. Supporting this learning is the central aim of The Zones of Regulation.
Parent's guide to Zones of Regulation.
Show times when you are each zone
The Zones of Regulation - The Book Nook
Chart for placing tools in each colour
Emotion cards for bingo game or recognising emotions
Zone Chart with pictures and emotion words