I cannot ADVOCATE “story-boarding” enough. NO… it is not a terrorist’ way of forcing you to listen to stories until …you talk! lol ! It’s actually a way to CLUE-IN our VISUAL THINKERS! Autistic individuals are operating each day on such different planes than “typicals.” They see or don’t see the world in such a different light! Typical people are usually in such a rush…we make alot of quick assumptions. While we are missing… many fine details! 
Speaking of “FINE DETAILS” brings an awesome person to mind! Marshall Fenig ! Have you heard of him? Well, if you have a NON-VERBAL visual thinker… Mr. Fenig will have some tricks for you! You should look him up! Leroy Haynes Center had him as a speaker last year! I’m hoping for A SEQUEL!! His work with STORY-BOARDING is brilliant. He will customize the pictures for each kid. He had an awesome array of colorful examples he has created. At the Store, at the Dentist, in a Restaraunt and so on and so forth! Social situations MAPPED OUT for our kids. Our world expects so much from them, that they are just not PROGRAMMED to give. These SOCIAL STORIES help!
He has the BEST PHILOSOPHY I’ve heard! “TEACH to the REACH.” So Simple. So Profound! Yet that concept can be easily over-looked by so many! If the concept holds NO IMPORTANCE to the individual… how can we expect them to engage and LEARN? Back to the word ASSUME. We as typical brains…are so arrogant that we tend to think everyone’s mind works the same “like ours.” If someone is doing something you don’t do…then THEY are OFF? Is that the MINDSET that is prevalent out there when it comes to autism and asperger? Well, it will be nice when people start taking the time to learn the fine details before they make their assumptions! Think outside of YOUR BOX & HOP IN …THEIRS ! 
Maybe people should RE-THINK… who IS ON and who IS OFF!? Reminds me of the saying…”The lights are on but, no one is home!” Typical brains have ALL THEIR LIGHTS ON. In my mind that means it is up to people with an “advantage” to show deference to individuals with the perceived DISADVANTAGE! Very easy to do…just keep reading my blogs!! I am STORY-BOARDING it for you!!
Marshall Fenig taught me to CURE Wyatt of tantruming in RESTAURANTS! All these kids need to know, are the facts. Wyatt was really having a hard time …WAITING. He does’nt color the kids menu. Heck he wont even take a look at it 9 times out of 10. So generally I come equipped with magazines & a FAV TOY or 2! When that did’nt work someone HAD TO take a walk with WYATT! Right in the middle of dinner! NOT FUN ! 
When we were made to realize that WYATT NEEDED to VISUALIZE the scenario it became so CLEAR! So SIMPLE! STORY- BOARDING! Once Wyatt was “given the script” of the restaraunts “chain of command.” He was ABLE TO WAIT! He understood all the steps. #1-ORDER IT,#2– THEY COOK-IT, and when its done…#3- THEY BRING IT! Finally everyone’s favorite #4- YOU EAT IT!! WELLA! It works well FOR MOST SITUATIONS! Give it a try and I’m betting you can save those “WALKS” for AFTER DINNER where they belong!
