Comic Strip Conversations: Illustrated interactions that teach conversation skills to students with autism and related disorders: Improving social ... and other developmental disabilities

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You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Present the social story to the person at a time when everyone is feeling calm and relaxed, using a straightforward approach, eg I have written this story for you. By seeing the different elements of a conversation presented visually, some of the more abstract aspects of social communication (such as recognising the feelings and intentions of others) are made more 'concrete' and are therefore easier to understand. If it is for a situation where a particular outcome is not guaranteed, use words like ‘sometimes’ and ‘usually’ in the story.

Comic strip conversations can be used to plan for a situation in the future that may be causing anxiety or concern, for example an exam or a social event. Comic strip conversations provide visual representations of the different levels of communication that take place in a conversation, using symbols, stick figure drawings and colour. Comic strip conversations can help people with autism to understand concepts that they find difficult. By seeing the different elements of a conversation presented visually, some of the more abstract aspects of social communication (such as recognising the feelings of others) are made more 'concrete' and are therefore easier to understand.

More information about social stories, including how they can be used and who can benefit from them. Children can also recognise that, although people say one thing, they may think something quite different another concept foreign to concrete-thinking children. Showing what people are thinking reinforces that others have independent thoughts―a concept that spectrum children don't intuitively understand. Showing what people are thinking reinforces that others have independent thoughts a concept spectrum children don t intuitively understand.

The idea is that the child can draw something that has happened or will happen, colours can express different feelings, green = happy.

Comic strip conversations are visual representations of the different levels of communication that happen in a conversation.