Social Stories by Alexander Wurl

Overview

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:17:22 UTC

Social Stories (AKA social narratives) are real (or realistic) prompts created by instructors and community members. These prompts often involve typical social situations that encourage critical thinking from the students (e.g. how to calmly avoid unpleasant textures, how to calmly self-advocate, how to order something from a restaurant). These prompts are primarily used for students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

General Effectiveness

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:30:03 UTC

The evidence supporting Social Stories has been overwhelmingly conducted in the Elementary (6-11 yo) age range. Few studies have been completed in the Middle (12-14) or high school (15-22) age ranges, though those few studies have shown positive results. (Scattone et. al, 2002)

Preschool Effectiveness

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:37:41 UTC

In the 3-5 year range, SS (Social Story) has been used to address social, communication, joint attention, and behavior skills crucial to the students. With the immersion of SS, it is often perceived as a form of play for the students, and the students are allowed to alter the stories to better represent their environments (Ivery, Heflin, Alberto 2004).

Elementary Effectiveness

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:42:28 UTC

SS implementation in the elementary range has proven to be the most effective, though this may be skewed by the considerable gap in research conducted compared to other age ranges. In addition to all benefits to life skills seen in the preschool range, elementary students also displayed an increase in school-readiness. This facet is crucial for those that have already entered the school system, as preschool is not a prerequisite to primary school in the US. At this age, students also displayed growing adeptness in creating prompts that targeted individual social deficiencies.

Middle School (12-14) Effectiveness

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:47:39 UTC

Due to limited research, few benefits have been documented in this age range. Currently, only social and behavior skills have shown notable increases. It is suspected that an increase in research will further uncover life-skill benefits.

High School (15-22) Effectiveness

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:51:03 UTC

Only behavior benefits have been documented for this age range. In this author's opinion, further research is crucial for this range as prompts that certain around the workplace can counteract the transition deficits that young adults with disabilities have been experiencing in the US. Many recent graduates in the US with disabilities have been unfortunately stuck in unemployment with unrefined workplace skills.

Recommendations

ajwh7g — 2024-04-28 18:57:35 UTC

Illustrations should be incorporated in SS, as this works well with visual learners.

Stories should be as versatile as possible, as many different skills and situations need to be addressed for full effect

At young ages, providing multiple different options per prompt may be required (multiple choice style)

There are many resources for creating/planning SS, as well as sheets to document results and student improvement

Encourage students to submit situations that they are worried about so they can have a rehearsal