Jaustre's adapted social stories

Jaustre is learning to use an adapted type of social story to help him understand what is going to happen in non-routine situations and what is expected of him. We hope that the more predictible the world is for Jaustre the fewer problems we will have.

We use one photograph per page with a simple bit of text to help others describe the photo consistently to Jaustre. We put the photos into a sequence in a photo album. We aim to have Jaustre read the story a few times before the new event and for the photo album to go with him on the trip.

In each story we try to identify what might confuse Jaustre based on previous incidents, and we explain as clearly as possible what will be different to usual. For example, Jaustre is used to Jenny picking him up & taking him to school. At the start of the Teen Time program, Mae took Jaustre and picked him up so we included both a "car with mum" photo and a "no Jenny" photo.

...................... For each social story we try to use a different picture of Jaustre and a different colour backgroud to help him discriminate between the stories...

HINT* It's also helpful to have some spare photos hidden at the back of the story to use just in case something changes e.g. Jenny can't pick Jaustre up so Mae has to instead....

Social Stories were created by Carol Gray. You can read more about this and her other fabulous works here http://www.thegraycenter.org/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=30

Jaustre's key word sign communication

Jaustre uses a few Makaton 'key word' signs to communicate what he wants.

Jaustre mostly uses:

(1) EAT

(2) DRINK

(3) HELP

(4) TOILET

(5) SHOWER

We are trying to help Jaustre (and everyone else!) learn more signs & to use his signs more independently to increase his communication. It helps to try to wait for Jaustre to use these signs rather than to 'read his mind' and do things for him. The more you practice the better you get!

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All signs can be found in Makaton Vocabulary - Auslan Edition Book or "Key Signs" A Supplement to the Makaton Vocabulary" - Auslan Edition. Makaton is also known as key word sign. It is system of communication based on a combination of spoken words and sign language vocabulary. The signs used in Makaton are borrowed from Auslan –the language of the Australian Deaf Community.

http://www.auslan.org.au/

Jaustre's talking photo album

Jannel has made Jaustre a talking photo album with photos of his family and friends.

Everyone can use this to interact with Jaustre. Just press the button on each page and you will hear about each photo. See how it's done in the video.

Talking photo albums are available from the Linen Company (see link below)

http://www.linenco.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=65&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26