Comic book conversations, social stories and social skills therapy
Comic Book Conversations and Social Stories were identified as important and useful ways to break down complicated social situations so that individuals on the spectrum could understand them better. These days, almost any therapist or educator working with autistic children will create social stories and simple drawings frequently.
I have always used lots of social stories and comic book conversations in my own work. But my own paper and pen, stick-figure social skills materials never looked very good. So, over time, in my individual and group work with young people on the autism spectrum, I learned how to use PowerPoint rapidly, during sessions, to be able to put together text, word/thought bubbles and images to make much better, and quicker, Comic Book Conversations and Social Stories. Children liked them much better. And since they were in my computer, I could quickly share my work with families and other professionals.
Some months ago, to prepare for my own therapy sessions, I started prepping blank PowerPoint slides with lots of the basic images and shapes I would need to help kids with their particular social and emotional issues. I eventually came up with a template, featuring “pre-loaded” images and text boxes in the margins. It was really helpful. I found I could more often sustain the attention of impatient children who wanted results fast.
The following images explain how to use my free PowerPoint template to quickly put together your own social stories and comic book conversations.
I have loaded the margins with the graphic and text elements I use most often. You can easily customize your own template with additional images.
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