Many children with autism, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and other special needs have difficulty experiencing situations that would seem quite normal to other children. Sounds can be too stimulating, crowds can feel overwhelming, and the unknown just too scary.
Carol Gray, Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding, developed social stories to expose children to difficult situations or to teach a particular skill or concept. The hope is that by increasing the child’s understanding, you will be improving the outcome.
Avril Webster, a mother to three children, one of whom has an intellectual disability, has used this social story concept to develop a series of children’s books. Her son, Stephen, had difficulties experiencing changes to his routine. Avril could not find books that were appropriate for him, so she decided to write her own. She joined forces with her son’s teacher, a speech and language pathologist, and other mothers to develop useful social stories not only for her son, but also for other families.
Avril currently has three books in what is called the “Off We Go!”series. Each one addresses a different situation that can potentially cause stress for some children with special needs. The books are uncluttered and the wording is kept simple and basic. They are appropriate for children developmentally around 4 to 8 years of age. Avril agreed to an interview and her responses to my questions are included below.
Avril originally developed the idea for these books to meet the needs of her son. With regards to Stephen, Avril explained:
“I want to give my son Stephen the same experiences as my other children. I believe that all children have so many gifts. As a Mom, it is my job to find the keys to unlock and open those doors. For children with complex learning needs, this can be more difficult but still just as important. Every child is so clever in their own way and has so much potential.”
Off We Go to the Grocery Story
Avril wrote Off We Go to the Grocery Store (Off We Go! series/U.S. edition) to walk a child through the simple process of making a shopping list, driving to the store and getting a cart, to the actual shopping experience. The story acknowledges that the grocery story is “very bright and noisy and busy“, but also lets the child know that this is “okay.”
A trip to the grocery story can cause many problems and Avril found that this was a difficult outing for her son too. She explains:
“Going to the grocery store can be quite an overwhelming experience for Stephen. Many of us don’t think about it, but it is an environment full of sensory overload. As the doors open, it is a busy place – there is so much color, it can be noisy, there can be lots of people around, there can also be lots of different smells. So for any person with sensory issues, going to the grocery store can be a scary experience. And that was and sometimes still is the case for Stephen.
In order to understand Stephen better, I have found it essential to try and learn about the world he lives in. As I learn more about sensory integration disorder, it helps me to try and understand some of his behaviors and I am still learning. It is important for me to take into consideration when we are going shopping, that for me, the noises/colours/smells ‘settle down’ in my head after a few minutes. However, this is not the case for Stephen and children with autism, where those sensory things keep ‘flying around’ in their heads.
Also certain noises at the grocery store can trigger Stephen. He does not like the sound of the meat slicer at the deli/butcher counter. We also know the sound of a baby crying can cause him distress. We see him bringing his hands up to cover his ears and sometimes he hits his ears. It seems like the noise is almost hurting him.”
In addition, Avril provided these tips:
“I found that by using the Off We Go to the Grocery Store book it helped reduce his fear and he was better able to manage the experience. It also helped to go to the same grocery store and to make the shopping list before hand. As well as a written list, I find it helpful to do a picture list. On google images you can now get pictures of many of the top brands. It also helps to add a sense of fun with making the list and then finding the products. One other tip I find essential is to ask Stephen what he wants to buy. So as well as buying some everyday things like bread, milk, juice etc. Stephen will get his favorite cookies!”
As an extra bonus, Avril’s husband has helped out too, by showing us what a trip to the grocery store may feel like to a person with SPD. She revealed:
” I know you are very familiar with sensory integration disorder, but to help others understand, my husband Robert created a Powerpoint presentation which we have just figured out how to upload to YouTube.”
Off We Go for a Haircut
Many young toddlers are frightened the first time they go to get a haircut. But for some children with special needs, this fear does not subside. Off We Go for a Haircut (Off We Go! series/U.S. edition) not only goes though the steps involved in getting a haircut, but also prepares a child for the noise that clippers and hairdryers make.
Off We Go to the Dentist
A trip to the dentist can cause anxiety in grown adults, so we can only imagine how children feel. As Off We Go to the Dentist (Off We Go! series/U.S. edition) walks a child through a trip to his dentist, it warns the child that the light can be very bright, but then states that you can shut your eyes.
Avril has read all her books to her son, Stephen. She reports:
“We use pictures to help Stephen communicate all the time. The Off We Go! Series is an extension of that. Stephen responded immediately to the books. We find that by preparing Stephen in the safety of our home and telling him what is likely to happen, he can manage more easily. Less stress for everyone! He likes to take the book with him and follow what stage he is at. We often role play what might happen for example in practicing for going for a haircut we used the pictures along with a hairdryer, scissors, clippers at home. Stephen enjoyed putting hairgel in my hair!”
The Author
Avril lives in Ireland with her husband and three children. Initially she self-published her books and they were sold in Ireland. Avril reveals:
“There has been a fantastic reaction! It gives me such pleasure to know that the books are not only helping Stephen, but lots of other children as well. I have had great reviews and support not only from families but also from professionals such as teachers, speech and language pathologists, psychologists etc. I even had my first experience appearing on live TV!”
Woodbine House has modified the language and common terms to make the books more suitable for an American audience. I asked Avril if she has any more books planned for the series and she explained:
“Off We Go to the Grocery Store, Off We Go to the Dentist and Off We Go for a Haircut are published by Woodbine House and are currently available in the United States. There are additional books available in Ireland and Europe and I hope to publish more of these in the future with Woodbine House. I also have 2 apps available on iTunes Going on a Plane and Going to the Dentist. I have a free online Going for a Haircut app available on my website.”
I wondered if Avril had other book ideas in the works. She shared:
“I love to get e-mails from my readers and I have received lots of suggestions for new titles. I think I have about 35 possible new titles for the future! I have yet to decide which ones to go with next.”
For more information on Avril and her family and what she is up to please visit her Off We Go blog. I want to thank Avril for her willingness to participate in this interview and Woodbine House for sharing copies of Avril’s wonderful series!
About Danette Schott, M.A.
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