by cobalt4 | Jul 6, 2024 | Story
Larry was a seven-year-old boy who loved going to the park with his dog, Willy. Larry had a special way of seeing the world, and his parents called it his “Restricted and repetitive behaviors.” This meant that Larry had a hard time with change and preferred to do things in the same way every time. His parents and teachers had been working with him to help him understand and cope with his behaviors.
One sunny day, Larry and Willy arrived at the park, and Larry immediately noticed that the playground was different. The swings were in a different spot, and the slide was a different color. Larry’s heart started racing, and he could feel his anxiety rising. He wanted to turn around and go back home, but he didn’t want to disappoint Willy. So, he took a deep breath and walked towards the playground.
As they got closer, Larry noticed that there were a lot of children playing on the playground. He felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start. But then, he saw a little girl who was playing with a toy car on the ground. Larry loved cars, so he walked over to her and asked if he could play too. The girl smiled and handed Larry a car. Larry’s heart felt a little lighter, and he started playing with the girl and her friends.
They played for a while, but then the girl’s friends wanted to go on the swings. Larry felt a little anxious again, but he didn’t want to leave the girl. So, he asked if she wanted to go on the swings with him. The girl smiled and said yes. Larry felt a surge of happiness and excitement. He had never made a new friend before, and it felt amazing.
As they swung back and forth, Larry noticed that his anxiety had disappeared. He was having so much fun with his new friend that he didn’t even realize that he was doing something different than his usual routine. He felt proud of himself and his ability to try new things.
After a while, the girl’s mom called her over for a snack, and she had to leave. Larry felt a little sad, but he was also proud of himself for being brave and making a new friend. He and Willy continued exploring the park, and Larry found himself trying new things and enjoying himself without even realizing it.
As the sun began to set, Larry and Willy sat on a bench to rest. Larry’s parents walked over to them and noticed how happy and relaxed Larry looked. They asked him about his day, and Larry excitedly told them about his new friend and all the fun things he did at the park. His parents were so proud of him and his progress.
That night, as Larry got ready for bed, he thought about his day at the park. He realized that even though things were different, he still had a great time. He also thought about his new friend and how much fun they had together. Larry felt grateful for his parents and teachers who helped him understand and cope with his behaviors. He knew that he was capable of trying new things and making new friends, and he couldn’t wait to go back to the park and do it all again with Willy by his side.
by cobalt4 | Jul 6, 2024 | Story
Remember that the goal is to empower and encourage the child, not to shame or discourage them.
John was a 15-year-old boy who loved spending time with his dog, Doder. They were the best of friends and did everything together. John was a kind and caring boy, but he had a hard time understanding social cues and communicating with others. He had social communication difficulties, which made it challenging for him to form connections with his peers.
One day, John’s parents decided to take him and Doder to a new place called “Home.” It was a place where children with different abilities could come together and learn new skills. John was nervous about going to Home, but Doder’s wagging tail and comforting presence gave him the courage to go.
As they entered Home, John saw many kids playing and having fun. He wanted to join in, but he didn’t know how to approach them. Doder nudged him and barked, encouraging him to make friends. John took a deep breath and walked towards a group of kids playing tag.
He introduced himself, but the kids didn’t understand him at first because of his social communication difficulties. John felt frustrated, but he remembered the strategies he had learned at Home. He used visual descriptions to explain himself, and the kids finally understood. They welcomed him into their game, and John felt happy and included.
Throughout the day, John faced different challenges related to his social communication difficulties. He struggled to understand sarcasm and jokes, and his tone of voice often came across as too loud or too quiet. But with the help of Doder and the other kids at Home, he learned how to recognize social cues and communicate more effectively.
As the sun started to set, it was time to say goodbye. John was sad to leave, but he was excited to come back the next day. He hugged his new friends and thanked Doder for being by his side. He also thanked the teachers at Home for helping him learn valuable skills.
The next day, John and Doder returned to Home, and John was surprised to see that the kids had made a special welcome sign for him. They were excited to have him back, and John felt a sense of belonging he had never felt before.
As days went by, John continued to grow and learn at Home. He made new friends, learned how to express his emotions, and became more confident in his social interactions. He even started to use his personal experiences with Doder to help other kids who were struggling.
John’s journey at Home had a significant impact on his life. He learned to embrace his differences and use his strengths to overcome challenges. And with the support of Doder and his new friends, John’s social communication difficulties were no longer a barrier to forming meaningful connections with others.
In the end, John and Doder’s adventure at Home showed that with determination, support, and a trusty dog by your side, anything is possible. And John’s new friends taught him that being different is what makes us all unique and special.
by cobalt4 | Jul 6, 2024 | Story
Remember that the goal is to empower and encourage the child, not to shame or discourage them.
John was a 15-year-old boy who loved spending time with his dog, Doder. They were the best of friends and did everything together. John was a kind and caring boy, but he had a hard time understanding social cues and communicating with others. He had social communication difficulties, which made it challenging for him to form connections with his peers.
One day, John’s parents decided to take him and Doder to a new place called “Home.” It was a place where children with different abilities could come together and learn new skills. John was nervous about going to Home, but Doder’s wagging tail and comforting presence gave him the courage to go.
As they entered Home, John saw many kids playing and having fun. He wanted to join in, but he didn’t know how to approach them. Doder nudged him and barked, encouraging him to make friends. John took a deep breath and walked towards a group of kids playing tag.
He introduced himself, but the kids didn’t understand him at first because of his social communication difficulties. John felt frustrated, but he remembered the strategies he had learned at Home. He used visual descriptions to explain himself, and the kids finally understood. They welcomed him into their game, and John felt happy and included.
Throughout the day, John faced different challenges related to his social communication difficulties. He struggled to understand sarcasm and jokes, and his tone of voice often came across as too loud or too quiet. But with the help of Doder and the other kids at Home, he learned how to recognize social cues and communicate more effectively.
As the sun started to set, it was time to say goodbye. John was sad to leave, but he was excited to come back the next day. He hugged his new friends and thanked Doder for being by his side. He also thanked the teachers at Home for helping him learn valuable skills.
The next day, John and Doder returned to Home, and John was surprised to see that the kids had made a special welcome sign for him. They were excited to have him back, and John felt a sense of belonging he had never felt before.
As days went by, John continued to grow and learn at Home. He made new friends, learned how to express his emotions, and became more confident in his social interactions. He even started to use his personal experiences with Doder to help other kids who were struggling.
John’s journey at Home had a significant impact on his life. He learned to embrace his differences and use his strengths to overcome challenges. And with the support of Doder and his new friends, John’s social communication difficulties were no longer a barrier to forming meaningful connections with others.
In the end, John and Doder’s adventure at Home showed that with determination, support, and a trusty dog by your side, anything is possible. And John’s new friends taught him that being different is what makes us all unique and special.
by cobalt4 | Jul 6, 2024 | Story
Once upon a time, in a cozy little house, lived a 7-year-old boy named Teddy. Teddy was a happy and curious boy, but he had some challenges. He had Sensory sensitivities, which meant that he was very sensitive to certain noises, lights, and textures. This made it difficult for him to enjoy some of the activities that other children his age loved. But Teddy had a special friend who always understood him, his dog named Willy.
One day, Teddy’s parents decided to take him to a Home for children with Sensory sensitivities. Teddy was excited and nervous at the same time. He had never been to a place like this before. As they entered the Home, Teddy was overwhelmed by the bright lights and loud noises. He covered his ears with his hands and tried to calm himself down. Willy stayed close by his side, sensing that Teddy was feeling anxious.
The first activity they did at the Home was painting. Teddy loved to paint, but this time, he was given a paintbrush with a rough handle. It immediately made him uncomfortable, and he couldn’t focus on his painting. Willy noticed this and brought Teddy his favorite paintbrush from home. Teddy’s face lit up, and he was able to enjoy painting again. This made Teddy realize that sometimes, he just needed his familiar things to feel comfortable and calm.
Next, they went to the sensory room, where there were swings, soft pillows, and dim lights. Teddy was hesitant to try anything at first, but Willy encouraged him to try the swing. As he swung back and forth, Teddy felt a sense of peace and calmness wash over him. He realized that the sensory room was a safe space for him to relax and take a break when he felt overwhelmed.
After that, they went to the music room, where there were different instruments to play with. Teddy loved music, but the loud sounds from the drums and cymbals were too much for him. He started to cover his ears again, but then he saw a pair of noise-canceling headphones on a shelf. Willy fetched them for Teddy, and this time, he was able to enjoy making music without feeling overwhelmed by the loud noises.
Throughout the day, Teddy and Willy explored different activities at the Home. Every time Teddy faced a challenge, Willy was there to support him and help him find a solution. Teddy also made some new friends, who also had Sensory sensitivities. They shared their own tips and tricks for managing their challenges, and Teddy felt like he finally belonged somewhere.
As the day came to an end, Teddy and Willy were saying their goodbyes to their new friends. Teddy turned to Willy and said, “Thank you for being my best friend, Willy. You always understand me.” Willy wagged his tail happily, knowing that he had helped Teddy have a memorable experience at the Home. As they walked back home, Teddy felt proud of himself for overcoming his challenges and learning new ways to manage them.
From that day on, Teddy continued to face his challenges with a positive attitude and the help of his faithful friend, Willy. He also never forgot the valuable lessons he learned at the Home and always remembered to use his coping strategies when he needed them. Most of all, Teddy was grateful to have a best friend like Willy, who always understood him and helped him be his best self.
by cobalt4 | Jul 5, 2024 | Story
Billy was a bright and curious 6-year-old boy who loved to explore and learn new things. He had a special companion, a fluffy golden retriever named Rover, who was always by his side. Billy lived with his parents in a big house surrounded by a beautiful garden. But one day, Billy’s parents had to go on a business trip and they couldn’t take him with them. So, they decided to send Billy to stay at the Home for a few days while they were away.
The Home was a big building with many rooms and hallways. As soon as Billy and Rover arrived, Billy could feel his anxiety rising. He didn’t like new places, and the Home was full of unfamiliar people and sounds. He held tightly onto Rover’s leash as they were shown to their room.
As they settled in, Billy noticed that there were many other children at the Home, some of whom were playing together in the common area. Billy wanted to join in, but he felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to approach the other children. He often struggled with social communication and found it hard to understand social cues.
Rover could sense Billy’s unease and nudged him with his nose, as if to say, “It’s okay, let’s go explore!” And so, Billy and Rover set off to explore the Home. They walked down the hallways, peeking into different rooms and meeting new people. Billy noticed that some of the other children seemed to have similar behaviors to him, like rocking back and forth or repeating certain words. This made him feel less alone and more comfortable in his new surroundings.
As they continued their exploration, Billy and Rover came across a big playroom filled with toys and games. Billy’s eyes lit up as he saw all the colorful toys and immediately wanted to play. But as he reached for a toy, another child came over and took it from him. Billy stood frozen, not knowing what to do or how to react.
But then, he remembered the social story his parents had read to him before coming to the Home. It was all about using words to express his feelings and asking for help when he needed it. Taking a deep breath, Billy mustered up the courage to say, “Excuse me, can I please have the toy back?” To his surprise, the other child said yes and even invited Billy to play with him.
Billy was overjoyed and couldn’t stop smiling. He had made a new friend and learned an important lesson about using his words to communicate. From then on, Billy and Rover spent their days at the Home exploring and playing with the other children. Billy even taught his new friend some of his favorite games, and they had a blast together.
As his time at the Home came to an end, Billy realized that he had grown and learned so much during his stay. He had overcome his anxiety and made new friends. He also discovered that even though he may have some struggles with social communication, he was still capable of forming connections and having fun with others.
On the day his parents came to pick him up, Billy felt a mix of emotions. He was excited to go back home, but also a little sad to leave the new friends he had made at the Home. As they said their goodbyes, Billy hugged his new friend and said, “Thank you for playing with me, I had a great time.” And with a big smile on his face, he and Rover walked out of the Home, ready to take on any new adventures that came their way.
