START Coaches Newsletter
GLEAN November 2019
Social Narratives
What is a Social Narrative?
According to Autism Internet Modules, social narratives are "visually represented stories that describe social situations and socially appropriate responses or behaviors to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acquire and use appropriate social skills...Social narratives may help the individual gain information about the thoughts and feelings of others, as well as contextual information they may have missed."
Afirm states that social narratives are designed to address specific issues of many learners with ASD. For example, social narratives can enhance conversation skills, smooth transitions, decrease problematic behaviors, and assist in understanding what others might be thinking. Social narratives help learners with ASD understand social situations and what is expected of them. When read prior to the addressed social situation, learners with ASD are more prepared to be successful in the targeted social situation.
Social narratives can also be adapted into Power Cards and Comic Strip Conversations.
Tips for writing a social narrative
- Write from the learner's point of view (perspective)
- Story should be written for the learner's comprehension level
- Familiarize yourself with types of sentences used to direct, describe, give perspective, affirm and encourage cooperation (see below)
- Keep language simple and developmentally appropriate
- Use pictures, drawing or images to reinforce the information and context
- Count your sentences and make sure you have at least 2 descriptive sentences for every one sentence it directs
- If appropriate, use the learner to help write the story
- Incorporate learner's high interest, if appropriate
- Collect data before and after implementation to see if the narrative helped improve the behavior or skill
- Use 1:1 direct instruction to teach and model the behavior described in the social narrative
Social Narrative Resources
https://autisminternetmodules.org/
Samples & ready made narratives:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/visualsupports
http://www.kansasasd.com/socialnarratives.php
http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/main/library_social_stories.html
https://www.thewatsoninstitute.org/resources/behavior-stories/
https://www.abaresources.com/social-stories/
http://www.aspergerssocialstories.com/
https://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/assets/files/tipsheets/socialstoriestips.pdf
https://www.autismspeaks.org/templates-personalized-teaching-stories
Coaches Corner
Power Card
Meeting Mechanics
Accommodation Kits
Peer to Peer Funding requests due December 9
Is your Peer to Peer program needing assistance to fund an event or resource? You can apply for START funds!
Complete Data Collection Request (link in application)
Complete Fidelity Checklist (submit with application)
Changes: Business department signature required
All funds must be spent and reimbursement requests submitted with data by May 1, 2020
Link to Funding Request Application:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11NfUwXau_UY3n41O0ctKYlz4rPu2zPQF/view?usp=sharing
Priority will be given to new or significantly expanded P2P programs. Availability of funds depends on how many requests are received.
Peer to Peer Summit
Bendle High School
Grand Blanc High School
EAJ High School, Mt. Morris
Upcoming Professional Development
Mark your calendars for our next Coaches training: Monday, February 10, 2020 - Topic TBA
Please follow this link to the GISD Professional Learning Catalog for more information and registration for START training in Genesee County. Please consider sharing this information with colleagues and administrators.
Working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder for Para-Educators
December 6, 2019
Meeting Mechanics
February 28, 2020 (1/2 day morning session)
Transitional planning for the next year
February 28, 2020 (1/2 day afternoon session)
Early Childhood Foundations for Learning and Behavior Support
March 10, 2020
Literacy and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
April 22, 2020
GISD Teacher Consultants and Coach Leaders
Teacher Consultant, ASD:
Laura Henry - lhenry@geneseeisd.org
Alex Keesling - akeesling@geneseeisd.orgBarb Olszewski - bolszews@geneseeisd.org
Angie Grindel, Consultant for Behavior Support - agrindel@geneseeisd.org
Kelli Pierscinski, TC for students with Disabilities - kpierscinski@geneseeisd.org
GISD's Regional Collaborative Network (RCN) has partnered with Livingston ESA to strengthen our resources and collaborate to bring your MORE amazing things from START. We are GLEAN (Genesee-Livingston Educational Autism Network).