Social Stories™ work for me in Michigan, they were now working in Ohio, too! Joy and I co-authored the article, “Social Stories™: Improving the Responses of Students with Autism with Accurate Social Information,” and Edna helped us submit it to the journal Focus on Autistic Behavior, where it was published in 1993. Meeting Joy and Edna led to the formal introduction of Social Stories™ to the field of autism.
Dr. Tony Attwood was one of the earliest professional supporters of Social Stories™. Tony contacted me for feedback on a portion of his new manuscript, titled, Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide to Parents and Professionals. He wanted to be sure that his description of Social Stories™ was accurate. Just as I had been surprised by Joy’s success with Social Stories™, I was intrigued that a noted autism professional, from another country, was writing about my work. Not only that, but Tony genuinely understood Social Stories™. His description expanded my own understanding of them. (Today, Tony is a valued friend of mine, and I deeply respect his contributions to our field. I was thrilled and honored when he agreed to write the Foreword to the 10th Anniversary Edition of this book.)
Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D., author of Autism as Context Blindness (2012), has expanded my thinking on the challenges that context presents to people with autism. In turn, his ideas are having an important impact on Social Stories. I have tremendous respect for his work. It’s fun for me, too, to have him as a new friend.
Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP introduced me to Wayne Gilpin, President of Future Horizons. Diane encouraged Wayne to sit in on one of my earliest presentations. At first, I don’t think Wayne believed that stories could have such a positive impact. I was impressed that he stayed and listened to my entire presentation that day … and changed his mind. Ultimately, he offered to print and distribute the very first book of Social Stories™, titled The Original Social Story Book—even though it had been turned down by several other publishers.
Keith Lovett, Director of Autism Independent (UK) brought Social Stories™ to the United Kingdom, and has sponsored Social Story™ workshops ever since. Keith is concerned for the education and welfare of people on the autism spectrum, and that includes protecting the quality of the instructional techniques that are used on their behalf. If Social Stories™ had a dad, it would be Keith. He looks out for the approach, informs me of any misinterpretations of it, and has steadfastly worked to ensure that high-quality Social Story™ workshops are held on his side of the Atlantic.
Team Social Stories™ (T.S.S.) and Social Stories Satellite Schools and Services (S.S.S.S.S.) Coaches work with me protect the integrity of Social Stories and conduct workshops. I remember when I was working for Jenison Public Schools, and I was talking with the personnel director. We were discussing the increasing number of my Social Story™ workshops and presentations. I asked, “How long can it possibly take to teach the world to write a Social Story™? This can’t last forever.” Now, I think it might. I am blessed to work with such a talented group of people. For information about T.S.S./S.S.S.S.S. go to CarolGraySocialStories.com.
My Cottage Friends are reflected in the pages of this book. They were the only “social norm” I had available to me, at our cottage, where most of the Stories in this book were written. I usually refer to them as the “cottage people,” and they helped me research many of the Story topics. Often, I would ask them unusual questions about social concepts and skills. For example: What is the difference between a one- and a two-person hug? My questions led to discussions with little agreement, always framed by the unique personalities and unshakable mutual respect that defines this incredible group. I am indebted to them for their candid contributions to this book. I’d like to thank Paul and Pat, Granny, Jim and Maureen, Jeff and Marci, Sheri, Andy and C, Keith and Sandy, and Prudy and Jim. They make life on Planet Earth continually intriguing and interesting, easier, and a heck of a lot of fun. In my next life, I want to have them as my friends again.
Hank and Emma, my basset hounds, and my friends at Shaggy Pines Dog Park, in Ada, Michigan, played an important role in this second revision. At Shaggy Pines, friends are both canine and human, and randomly come and go to create a unique, un-orchestrated, and dynamic assortment of personalities and temperaments. We’re not just walking and chasing balls there, we’re sharing life’s human and canine stories—from triumphs, to tragedies, and everything in between. Hank, Emma, and Shaggy Pines bring a clear and calm perspective to each and every day. Paws and people are better than chocolate.
The Boy at Barnes & Noble came up to me at a critical point during the first revision of this book. I wish I knew his name, so that I could thank him properly. Approaching the completion of the rough draft of the manuscript, I had been writing non-stop, eyes-open to eyes-shut, for over two weeks. I needed a change of writing venue, so I decided to head to the Rivertown Crossings Mall near our home. I worked on location. It was there that I wrote the Stories in this book about the up escalator and eating at a food court. I decided to head to Barnes & Noble, to write a Story about eating in a quiet bookstore cafe. However, the place was wall-to-wall people. I couldn’t get to the cafe. So I sat down in an overstuffed chair, took out my laptop, and wrote the Story, “This Place is Busy!”
That’s when he appeared: a boy about nine years old with curly brown hair. He was on his own— with his mother nearby—and approached me. Well, no, he approached my computer. He had many of the qualities of children on the autism spectrum. He read what I had written on the computer screen, looked up and around, and then turned to me and asked, “Does it help you to write a story about what is going on here?”
I was at a loss for an answer. I have it now. Yes, it does. Writing Stories about what is going on helps me because of the wonderful people, the incredible people, that it introduces me to. People like those whom I have listed here, people like the boy at Barnes & Noble, and people whom I have never met … but I know I would like if I did. Social Stories™ do keep the best company, and I have been—and will continue to be—honored to work alongside them.
Table of Contents
The 2nd Criterion: Two-Step Discovery
The 3rd Criterion: Three Parts and a Title
The 4th Criterion: FOURmat Makes It Mine!
The 5th Criterion: Five Factors Define Voice and Vocabulary
The 6th Criterion: Six Questions Guide Story Development
The 7th Criterion: Seven is About Sentences
The 8th Criterion: A GR-EIGHT Formula!
