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Social stories and video modeling?

Amanda - posted on 01/28/2010 ( 4 moms have responded )

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Hi there ...

Billy, our autistic 3-year-old, is starting to want to befriend other children, though his efforts are a bit clumsy. He does a lot of echolalia, repeating books and movies, and that's usually what he says to other kids when he tries to play with them, approaching them with a long scripted passage from a Charlie Brown cartoon, for instance, which just confuses them.

We're very into Floortime/DIR therapy (you can read about our experience with that, if you're interested at my blog, amandabroadfoot.com) which emphasizes creating desire for communication in children, and rewarding whatever attempts they make, rather than teaching them scripts.

That being said, our speech therapist recommended some video modeling and social stories to equip him on the playground to make social overtures. Does anybody have any experience with those, good or bad? Did it emphasize scripting, making the child less likely to say something original, or help jump-start communication with peers? Do you have any recommendations for creating effective social stories or video models?

Any help is greatly appreciated ...

Amanda
Blogging for Billy at www.AmandaBroadfoot.com

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4 Comments

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Cherish - posted on 01/28/2010

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I know "higher functioning" kids that use script,and it is confusing.
They know WHAT to say, but do not understand WHY they should say it.

If my son wants to play he will just run up to them and tackle the kid.....talk about funny looks......lol

Amanda - posted on 01/28/2010

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Thank you both so much for the feedback -- you've been so helpful!

I keep going back-and-forth on the idea of scripts. I certainly don't believe it should be the only thing that we do, but at the same time, he's running up to kids and reciting "Goodnight, Blue" to them or shouting, "Happy New Year, Charles!" which just confuses them, so I guess if he's going to use a script anyway, we might as well find something a little more appropriate -- while we continue, of course, to work on more meaningful communication.

So glad I found this group!

Best,

Amanda
Blogging for Billy at www.AmandaBroadfoot.com

Cherish - posted on 01/28/2010

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Thats great he wants friends!
My son is 7.5 and does not really care about that,tho he does play w/ the neighbors when they come over.
We did floor time and RDI,I am so not a fan of ABA.

Social stories are very helpful here are some links of free social story/examples....
My son uses a talker and there are some things in there like "how are you",but I think scripting is silly,teaching them what to say,if they do not understand why they are saying it....

http://www.autisminspiration.com/public/...

http://www.adders.org/socialstories.htm

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/

Michelle - posted on 01/28/2010

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Social stories really helped my daughter. And they weren't teaching scripts so much as suggestive behavior. That said, if your son (like my daughter does) launches into echolalia, a few scripts on how to say "hello! want to play?" or respond to another child who says that can be beneficial.

She's been able now to make friends who take the later scripting into stride because she can make very good approaches.

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