The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

The evidence-based practices of Social Stories (Carol Gray) and Video Modeling are among the most effective interventions for social skill development. This session will present an evolution of these strategies into the digital world which can easily be replicated in homes, schools or clinics. Social skill development is an important area of growth for many individuals living with autism.  The ability to understand others and perform expected behaviors is key to successful relationships, employment and inclusion.   Two of the most effective interventions for social skill development are the evidence based practices of Social Stories (Carol Gray) and Video Modeling.  This session will present an evolution of these strategies into the digital world which can easily be replicated in homes, schools or clinics.

The accessibility of digital technology continues to change society, self expression and learning.  Some students with Autism Spectrum Disorders are fluent in the use of technology; others may be left behind as the revolution progresses.   In 2013, the Barber National Institute received a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to develop a digital arts program with the dual goal of expanding the creative use of technology while addressing key curriculum issues in an approved private school serving special needs students.  In this innovative project, a collaboration among students, teachers and a professional artist resulted in the creation of multimedia projects focused on social development.  The evidence based practices of social stories (Carol Gray) and Video Modeling were used to create content for the projects and the artist brought creative and technical expertise to the endeavor.  The result was exciting.  The project was presented at the national VSA/Kennedy Center, conference, Intersections,  in the summer of 2014. 

In the proposed session,  participants will learn the key features of an effective social story and some of the ways that social stories can be used with individuals across the spectrum.   Examples of social stories and the basic concepts relevant to video modeling will be discussed.   Clinical guidelines for the application of these strategies to social skill development will be included.    The use of various digital media and applications including  I-book, I-movie, Book Creator and Comic Life were integral in this project and will be presented as possible creative tools.    Tips on the how to use the applications, store data and take effective video will help familiarize participants with the possibilities and challenges of these tools.   Finally, participants will have an opportunity to apply these ideas to their own situation through the development of a project.   Through the use of a story board, participants will  be guided through the development of a basic social story or video modeling project to take home.

Learning Objectives: