Social stories are a way to teach kids how to behave, or react in socially predicable ways. Children with autism don't take in the social cues to respond in ways that would be expected. A social story is created to show what typical responses are for certain situations. It may address a behavioral issue, or targeted to reduce a stimming behavior.
If you have someone in your family, or that you are working on that a social story might be a way to help them, contact me for assistance in creating your social stories.
Lisa Klipfel
(949) 291-2128
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
A Cancer Survivor Story
As I was raising money for the Cancer Coping Center this weekend, I met some amazing people with incredible stories. Although several people were cancer survivors, many were not. One woman told me her breast cancer survivor story, not the discovery or the treatment, but her healing.
She created a book before digital storybooking was available. This book was about all the people who took time out of their busy schedule to assist her. She took photos of all the people who brought her meals and the people who brought her other things she needed. She took photos of people who gave her transportation, who listened to her story. She wrote about their kindness and the meaning of their generosity. She took pictures of the people in her support circle and wrote their encouraging thoughts to her. She smiled as she told me the story. She knew that the Healing Through Story mission is the beginning of a long journey that will touch many people's lives and a very important journey to be a part of.
I thank her for her sharing her story and her thoughts.
She created a book before digital storybooking was available. This book was about all the people who took time out of their busy schedule to assist her. She took photos of all the people who brought her meals and the people who brought her other things she needed. She took photos of people who gave her transportation, who listened to her story. She wrote about their kindness and the meaning of their generosity. She took pictures of the people in her support circle and wrote their encouraging thoughts to her. She smiled as she told me the story. She knew that the Healing Through Story mission is the beginning of a long journey that will touch many people's lives and a very important journey to be a part of.
I thank her for her sharing her story and her thoughts.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Attachment Books for kids under 5
Early attachment is important to development. There are many situations where proper attachment can be affected. A great technique is for the caregiver the child to hear a story about the caregiver and the child daily. An attachment, or bonding book, is a great source for such a technique.
An attachment book consists of how the child came into the family. If it is a natural family, this would involve the anticipation for having the child and welcoming the child into their life. If the family is extended family, foster family, fost-adopt family, or another family, this would involve how they came to live with them and the joy in being received. Depending on how old the child is, it can include their life and other bonding experiences up until now.
The technique involves reading this story to them daily, ideally where the child is sitting in the caregivers lap. If not tolerated, sitting close, or part of the body touching each other, such as knee to knee. If possible, it is a great idea to create more than one type of bonding book, so there is a variety. Other books may include a bonding event, such as they day there was a family picnic, family vacation, etc. It is important that there is a written expression of how fun, loving and important it is for the family to spend time together. Having 7 books is ideal, for each day of the week.
Fully attached children are more secure later in life, and have less emotional problems while growing up. Healing Through Story, a division of Cheetah Legacy, is available to assist you in creating your attachment book. Story planner and story maps are available.
An attachment book consists of how the child came into the family. If it is a natural family, this would involve the anticipation for having the child and welcoming the child into their life. If the family is extended family, foster family, fost-adopt family, or another family, this would involve how they came to live with them and the joy in being received. Depending on how old the child is, it can include their life and other bonding experiences up until now.
The technique involves reading this story to them daily, ideally where the child is sitting in the caregivers lap. If not tolerated, sitting close, or part of the body touching each other, such as knee to knee. If possible, it is a great idea to create more than one type of bonding book, so there is a variety. Other books may include a bonding event, such as they day there was a family picnic, family vacation, etc. It is important that there is a written expression of how fun, loving and important it is for the family to spend time together. Having 7 books is ideal, for each day of the week.
Fully attached children are more secure later in life, and have less emotional problems while growing up. Healing Through Story, a division of Cheetah Legacy, is available to assist you in creating your attachment book. Story planner and story maps are available.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Cat, Dog and Pet Memorial Books
Yesterday was a sad day in my life, as I lost my cat who has been a part of our lives for 13 years. She and her brother came into our home when we were married for a year and just bought our first house. The two kitten were 2 cute, tumbling over each other, and they could both fit in my husbands hand. We called them our four legged children until we had a human child.
My cat has been sick for a year, very skinny and had become a picky eater, mostly due to intermittent nausea. Over the year, I have going through the photo boxes finding those photos when she was young and vibrant. I will be scanning those photos and creating a memorial book for her. I suppose it will also include her brother who died of cancer last year.
On that same day, a friend lost her dog of 19 years, and another friend lost their cat of 15 years the week before. There are so many people in this world where their animals have become a part of their family and when they are gone, they grieve. Perhaps at time they hide their grief. They need not. I can't wait to finish my book, so I can share with my son the kitten photos, the funny stories and the love with share with our dear cat.
My cat has been sick for a year, very skinny and had become a picky eater, mostly due to intermittent nausea. Over the year, I have going through the photo boxes finding those photos when she was young and vibrant. I will be scanning those photos and creating a memorial book for her. I suppose it will also include her brother who died of cancer last year.
On that same day, a friend lost her dog of 19 years, and another friend lost their cat of 15 years the week before. There are so many people in this world where their animals have become a part of their family and when they are gone, they grieve. Perhaps at time they hide their grief. They need not. I can't wait to finish my book, so I can share with my son the kitten photos, the funny stories and the love with share with our dear cat.
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