| For many parents raising a youngster with autism | | | | communication, imagination and interaction skills |
| is a constant struggle and can prove stressful and | | | | and behaviours. There is no need for any formal |
| at times overwhelming. | | | | training to use social stories, parents can download |
| Generally an individual with autism will have social | | | | and use social stories straight from the internet |
| skills deficits making social and communication skills | | | | that have been written specifically for youngsters |
| difficult to understand and learn, which can be | | | | with autism by professionals. |
| frustrating for parents and teachers. | | | | Social stories are generally visually rich with |
| A youngster with autism is less likely to want to | | | | appropriate text always from the child's point of |
| cuddle, make eye contact or want to interact | | | | view and in first person language that parents and |
| with their environment and those in it. Preferring | | | | teachers can share with the autistic child. |
| their own company and solitary play, some | | | | A social story breaks down a skill, situation or |
| youngsters with autism will not respond to their | | | | behaviour into small easy to understand pieces |
| own name and in some cases speech will be | | | | and uses visual images as a framework showing |
| delayed or not present at all. | | | | and explaining the skill in a manner that the autistic |
| The vast majority of parents raising a youngster | | | | child will understand and follow. |
| with autism look for methods, autism treatments | | | | The social story answers the "wh" questions |
| that will help them address some of their child's | | | | (who, where, when, why and what) as well as |
| social and communication difficulties. | | | | explaining what other will expect as well as what |
| Having communication difficulties is common with | | | | they may expect from other in return. |
| autism, many parents find using social stories to | | | | Raising a youngster with autism need not be a |
| teach social skills to preschool autistic youngster | | | | constant struggle, a social story can help you |
| beneficial. | | | | teach vital and not so vital social skills as well as |
| Social stories are easy to implement and can be | | | | address communication difficulties, thus |
| used as a tool when teaching social, | | | | encouraging positive behaviours. |