My Social Stories Book

Carol Gray has extensive experience of working with children with autistic spectrum disorders. She teaches at Jenison Public School in Michigan, USA, is the editor of The Morning News, a newsletter on autistic spectrum disorders, and she lectures internationally.

• Acknowledgements. A Note to Parents and Professionals. 1. Taking Care of Me. What do I do when I need to use the toilet? Where are the toilets? How do I help others find the toilet in my home? Where are other toilets? Time to wash my hands. Why do I wash my hands? When do people wash their hands? How do children learn to wash their hands? Time to brush my teeth. When do people brush their teeth? How do children learn to brush their teeth? Time to take medicine. Why is medicine special? Why do adults give me medicine? When do adults give me medicine? What is liquid medicine? What is a medicine spoon? How do adults give me medicine? Time to blow my nose. What does “blowing my nose” mean? What does “wiping my nose” mean? What do I use to blow or wipe my nose? How do I use a tissue? Why do children need new clothes? Why do I have new clothes? Where do I find new clothes? How does it feel to wear new clothes? When do I wear new clothes? Choosing clothes to ear outside. What do people where when it gets cold outside? What do people wear when it gets warn outside? What is a coat? What is a mitten? Why do people wear boots? Time for a nap. Why do I take naps? When is naptime? What do adults do when I am taking a nap? How to children learn to take naps? Time for a haircut. When do I get my hair cut? What is a hairstylist? Where does a hairstylist work? How can I help the hairstylist? What steps do I follow to get my haircut? Time to clip my fingernails. Who clips my fingernails? Is having my fingernails clipped safe? Time to clip my toenails. Who clips my toenails? Is having my toenails clipped safe? Time for a bath. When do I take a bath? Why do I leave my clothes outside the bathtub? How do I get into the bathtub? How do adults help me take a bath? Time to wash my hair. What is shampoo? When does my hair get washed? How do children learn to wash their hair? What does it mean when people say, “Time to go to bed”? When is bedtime? Where do I sleep? When do people go to bed? What is a dream? How do I go to bed? 2. Home. What are unexpected noises? What is a telephone? What is a doorbell? How do doors make noises? Why do dogs bark? What happens when people drop things? What is a vacuum cleaner? Why do cars have horns? What is thunder? Who knows about time? Who knows what time it is? What is a watch? What does “hurry up” mean? What does it mean to be on time? What does it mean to “be late”? Who is coming to play? When will we play? What can i say when my friend arrives? What will we do today?

While intended mainly for autistic children, the clear, patient explanations of basic skills and situations could well be of use to any young child... The jolly black and white line drawings help bring reassurance to life skills and to situations children find themselves. In. "A Note to Parents and Professionals" gives the background for the stories and advice as to how they should be used.