| Gifted Autistic Children | | | | to understand the codes and rules of social conduct. |
| In this article, I am going to introduce some strategies | | | | Here are some steps to keep in mind when writing a |
| you can utilize to help your child with Asperger's | | | | social story for your child with Aspergers: |
| expand his/her social and emotional intelligence. These | | | | 1. Use positive language and a constructive approach. |
| children are already gifted with a lot of intelligence. You | | | | 2. Use suggestions of what to do rather than what not |
| can frame these activities to them as a way of | | | | to do. |
| learning 'people smarts' to balance out their 'book | | | | 3. Use descriptive sentences that provide factual |
| smarts.' This article will cover children from the ages of | | | | information or statements. However, also use |
| 6 to 13 years old. Prior to age 6, it is helpful to start | | | | perspective sentences that help the child understand |
| pre-school children off with video clips of the child's | | | | the characters' thoughts, emotions, beliefs, opinions, |
| everyday social experiences. Film the child playing with | | | | motivation, and knowlege. |
| his or her peers in the sandpit, or involved in games of | | | | 4. Use cooperative sentences to identify who can be |
| chasing, or hide and seek. You can then pause the | | | | of assistance. |
| video clip at different times to discuss particular cues | | | | 5. Use directive sentences to suggest a response or |
| and responses. | | | | choice of responses in a specific situation. |
| Ages 6-9 years old: | | | | 6. Affirmative sentences explain a commonly shared |
| At these ages, typical children start to recognize that | | | | value/opinion--reasons why different norms of conduct |
| they need a friend to play games with. They become | | | | have been established, and why there is the |
| more aware of the thoughts and feelings of those | | | | expectation of conformity. |
| other children, and how their actions or comments can | | | | 7. Control sentences are written by the child to identify |
| hurt or help their friends. Helping, a healthy give and | | | | personal strategies to help him/her identify what to do. |
| take, is the hallmark of this stage of development. | | | | Once the social story is written (give it a title that fits), |
| Gifted Autistic Children | | | | the child will need opportunities to rehears and practice |
| Social Stories | | | | new social understanding in real-life situations. It may be |
| Carol Gray has developed this strategy to help children | | | | helpful to ask an older, sensitive child to help your child |
| understand the cues and responses for specific social | | | | practice these skills. This social buddy's modeling skills |
| situations. It's often difficult for the child with Aspergers | | | | will have a powerful and positive effect for your child. |