Social Stories 10.1© Immersion Two-Day Workshop
17th-18th June 2013 Cost ÂŁ285.00
Carol Gray, President, The Gray Center for Social Learning &
Understanding / Founder, Team Social Stories™©
Venue:   Kettering Conference Centre, Thurston Dr. Kettering, Northants NN15 6PB. UK
PLEASE NOTE: A film crew will be present during this training event.
PLEASE also NOTE: In 2010, The National Autism Center listed “story-based intervention package” (with Social Stories™ identified as the most well-known) as one of eleven established treatments for children on the autism spectrum (National Autism Center, 2010). National Autism Center. (2010). National Standards Project.
Target Audience
Anyone working on behalf of children, adolescents, or adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). No limit to the number of participants.
1) Emphasis on individuals ages 2 – adult
2) Emphasis on toddlers and preschoolers ages 2 – 5
3) Emphasis on Stories for school-age children ages 6- 12
4) Emphasis on writing for individuals over 13 years of age
Description: In their 20 year history, Social Stories™ (and Social Articles for adults) have helped individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) understand and respond more effectively to daily interactions and events. A Social Story™ accurately describes a situation, skill, or concept according to 10 defining criteria. These criteria guide Story development to ensure an overall patient and supportive quality, and a format, “voice”, and relevant content that is descriptive and meaningful. Training in the use of the approach is critical to maximize the effectiveness of each Story. The goal is to build positive social concepts and skills, while ensuring that the text and illustration is individually tailored. At the same time, each Story must be physically, socially, and emotionally safe for the Reader. An evidence-based practice, Social Stories™ have earned the respect – and the enthusiastic affection – of parents and professionals alike.
This lively and fast-paced two-day workshop uses lecture and demonstration, along with individual and team activities to teach participants to research, develop, and implement Social Stories™. Participants leave knowing what Social Stories™ really are, as well as the research that supports their use. Day 1 covers the Social Story™ philosophy, research, and rationale, along with the 10 criteria and basic skills that are critical to the development of every Story. Day 2 adds additional detail, with discussion of common Social Story™ errors and solutions, and more opportunities for practice. At the close of this workshop, participants are equipped with everything they need to write safe Stories with the greatest potential for the acquisition and generalization of social concepts and skills.
Day 1 Learning Outcomes
At the close of the first day, participants will be able to…
a) Outline the philosophy and research-based rationale of every Social Story™;
b) Explain the central importance of the Social Story™ goal, and how it can help anyone distinguish what is – and what is not – a Social Story™;
c) List the 10 criteria that ensure the integrity and safety of every Story;
d) Define basic Social Story™ terms, including but not limited to the 7 types of sentences;
e) Describe how research and philosophy create important ties between how a Story is researched, developed, and implemented;
f) Appreciate the responsibility that an author assumes when he/she writes a Social Story™; and
g) Write a Social Story™.
Day 2 Learning Outcomes
At the close of the second day, participants will be able to…
a) Compare and contrast 2 “social story” Internet sites with Social Stories™ as defined by Carol Gray (this activity is enhanced if participants have computers and Internet access);
b) List additional details associated with each of the 10 defining Social Story™ criteria, and recite the 10 criteria from memory;
c) Describe how gathering information to write a Social Story™ often extends to non-traditional sources of information;
d) Explain how to develop Social Stories™ that praise achievements, describe a future event, teach routines, address fears, and/or explain abstract concepts;
e) Define advanced Social Story™ formats (for example, Split-Section Stories™ and Thinking Stories);
f) Research, write, and implement Social Stories that utilize any one or a combination of specialized formats to address specific topics and contexts, as well as unique concerns and achievements.
Time Ordered Agenda for Day 1 or Day 2
Most workshops break down into 4 sessions, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. The outcome letters below correspond to those in the previous learning outcomes list. Since start and closing times for workshops vary, sponsors insert their own times for each session.
• Early morning session (prior to first break): Outcomes a – b
• Late morning session (from close of first break to lunch): Outcomes c – e
• Early afternoon session (from close of lunch to afternoon break): Outcomes c – e cont.
• Late afternoon session (from close of afternoon break to close of workshop): Outcomes    f-g
• Day 2 only: Internet access and computers (participant laptops may be used)
SOCIAL STORIES & COMIC STRIP CONVERSATIONS High-Functioning Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, PDD, Autistic like… Note: No video streaming allowed: Carol Gray™©
Classroom style
Note, Times and content may change at the directors discretion. Start time 9.00 am. End Approx. 4.45 pm,
Schedule:
DAY ONE & TWO
Start time: 9am-4:45pm
10:20 – 10:40  BREAK
Noon – 1:00     LUNCH
3:00 – 3:20       BREAK
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CAROL GRAY, Dir.
Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Centre for Social Learning and Understanding, and for the last twenty years has served as a Consultant to Students with Autism for Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan, in the United States. She has developed several strategies to teach social concepts and skills to children with ASD, and initiated the term “…social understanding” to bring attention to the curriculum that is pre-requisite to teaching social skills. Carol developed the use of Social Stories in 1991, and the Comic Strip Conversations approach shortly thereafter. Each year, Carol conducts several presentations and workshops throughout the United States and in other countries. She is the recipient of the Barbara Lipinski Award for her international contribution to the welfare and education of children with autism spectrum disorders.
Whitney Mitchell Krusniak, M.Ed.
Has been working with students and families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders since 1995. Prior to graduating from Western Michigan University ’s Bachelor of Science program in 2000, she worked as a social worker for Family and Children Services ( Kalamazoo , MI ) as a program facilitator for children with Developmental Disabilities, Emotional Impairments and ASD. Ms. Mitchell-Krusniak was previously employed as a classroom teacher for the Oakland Schools Autism Program and is currently servicing children with ASD as a Teacher Consultant for the Jenison Public School District and the Ottawa Area Intermediate (MI). Ms. Mitchell-Krusniak completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education Administration from Grand Valley State University in 2004.
Venue: KLV Kettering Conference Leisure Village, Thurston Drive, Kettering, Northants. UK
FEES include light buffet lunch each day and am/pm. refreshments. Coffee/tea on arrival.
If you wish to attend, please complete and return the application form, together with a cheque (or to be invoiced to?) made payable to S.F.T.A.H.:
Autism Independent UK.
199/203 BLANDFORD AVENUE KETTERING, NORTHANTS NN16 9AT
TEL. OR FAX: 01536 523274
Upon receipt of your application and/or payment you will be sent further literature concerning the seminar, together with confirmation of your booking.
This seminar/Work-shop is ideal for: Preschool through adult, focusing on mid to higher-functioning students, with modification for those with more severe impairments.