Tips for Parents & Educators: Practical Advice on How to Use Social Stories Effectively
Social stories are powerful tools that can help neurodiverse individuals better understand and navigate social situations. Here are some practical tips for parents and educators on how to use social stories effectively:
1. Choose the Right Story: Select a social story that directly addresses the specific situation, behaviour, or skill you want to teach. Ensure the story is relevant and relatable to the individual’s experiences and needs.
2. Personalise the Story: Tailor the story to the individual’s life by including their name, familiar settings, and specific details about their daily routine. This personalisation makes the story more engaging and meaningful.
3. Keep it Simple and Positive: Use clear, straightforward language that is easy to understand. Focus on positive behaviours and outcomes, and avoid using negative language or emphasising mistakes.
4. Read the Story Together: Sit down with the individual and read the story together in a calm, distraction-free environment. Take your time to discuss the content, answer any questions, and ensure they fully understand the story.
5. Use Visual Supports: Incorporate pictures, symbols, or even real-life photos to illustrate key points in the story. Visuals can enhance comprehension and make the story more engaging, especially for those who are visual learners.
6. Repeat and Reinforce: Read the social story multiple times, especially before the situation it addresses is likely to occur. Repetition helps reinforce the concepts and makes the information more memorable.
7. Practice and Role-Play: After reading the story, engage in role-playing activities to practice the skills or behaviours highlighted in the story. This helps the individual apply what they’ve learned in a safe and supportive setting.
8. Be Patient and Flexible: Understand that learning new skills takes time, and progress may be gradual. Be patient and flexible, adjusting the story or approach as needed based on the individual’s responses and needs.
9. Follow Up: After the social situation has occurred, revisit the story to reflect on what happened. Discuss what went well, what could be improved, and how the story helped guide their actions.
10. Involve the Individual: Whenever possible, involve the neurodiverse individual in creating or customising their own social stories. This can increase their engagement and investment in the learning process.
By following these tips, parents and educators can make the most of social stories, helping neurodiverse individuals gain valuable skills, reduce anxiety, and build confidence in navigating the social world.
Wander the Wombat Social Stories
Wander's Introduction
Let's go on an aeroplane!
Let's go on an aeroplane!
Meet Wander the Neurodiverse Wombat! Wander loves exploring new places, learning new things, and meeting new friends. Join them on different adventures where they navigate the world in their own unique way.
Let's go on an aeroplane!
Let's go on an aeroplane!
Let's go on an aeroplane!
Coming Soon!
Join Wander the Wombat as they embark on an exciting adventure aboard a QantasLink flight. Discover how Wander navigates the airport, boards the plane, and enjoys their journey in the sky.
Wander goes to the Ekka
Wander goes to the Ekka
Wander goes to the Ekka
Wander is heading to the Ekka, ready to explore everything it has to offer!.
Join the fun!
Making new friends.
Wander goes to the Ekka
Wander goes to the Ekka
Coming Soon!
Wander the Neurodiverse Wombat is about to meet some new friends! Join Wander as they learn how to introduce themselves, share, and enjoy fun activities, making new connections along the way.