Concrete and Visual Creative Writing Steps needed to get Asperger DS writing please - and yes I know recipe writing is ghastly but I don't know how else to support DS central coherence disabilities

[tartanterror]

Background: DS is going into Y4. At the end of Y1(pre diagnosis) his uncooperative behaviour around writing was flagged to us. It's taken 2 years for me to unpick this problem and resolve the physical problems DS had around handwriting so his cursive script is average. School haven't helped much. In the same period I sorted out diagnosis and then an EHCP with additional funds so hopefully things will be better going forward. In addition to physical writing issues, cognitive differences limit his access to the curriculum - particularly English. DS has core ASD deficits with understanding feelings (his own and those of others) and thoughts of others (although he is not 100% mind blind). Standard story planners in school have centred on generating ideas or vocabulary. He often has random ideas that are off topic or don't sit well together But his vocab lists are great. Unfortunately central coherence problems means that he can't draw these things together. So our school's writing supports aren't helping much.

It seems pretty clear that DS will need to learn a "mechanical" method of generating stories. The idea is to start with a "mechanical" method to get him started and get his confidence up. He's had a couple of years of failed initiatives/standard school methoded.ted.com/featured/ZG7Q2obA#review so I need to give him a boost.

so (although I understand many will hate this idea of a rigid method) can you please put your personal feelings aside and help please?!

I have found this film about story shapes which is exactly what we need as a framework.

Does anyone have any other visual tools or tips to cover other aspects of story writing?

Thanks

I do this with my class. I teach them that every single story they write follows this formula:

1. Character(s) doing something normal for them.
2. Something unusual for them happens.
3. Character is in trouble/ has a problem.
4. Everything gets back to normal (maybe with a slight difference).

Then we just change the characters and the 'problem'. We practise over and over again until they can bang the formula out without thinking- then we work on jazzing up vocab etc. Eventually we can add in some variations such as cliff hangers and flashbacks, but not until the basic formula is absolutely solid.

I've found it really helps and we've actually got some total writing-refusers to the point of choosing to write stories in their free time once they have the confidence that comes from knowing the formula.

The 'Brilliant' SEN creative writing book is good- each story pretty much follows this formula and there is a photocopiable 'story mountain' for each one. Here

Thanks Lowdoor that sounds just up our street. I'll check out the book.

I'm of no help tackling your problem but just wanted to pop in, wish you good luck (lowdoor's ideas sound fab) and reassure you from the other side of compulsory education. Having been through years of trying to help my son with various school tasks that were incomprehensible to him (he's also ASD) he has managed to navigate his was into a job he loves and a fairly well rounded life! He never, ever managed to engage with creative writing and it doesn't matter a jot any more.
I'm sure you're far more reasonable about these things than I was but I remember spending hours despairing of what would become of him but it ended up being his special interests that pulled him through.

What about some of the Pie Corbett 'talk for writing' materials? They have children learning to talk through familiar stories, using actions, looking at the words that change the story direction (unfortunately, in the end, etc), drawing out a map of the stories visually, then writing them, and moving on to changing various elements of the stories to make their own versions (then, eventually, being able to use similar models to write their own).

shiver thanks so much for your post. That's very kind. I'm aiming to help him scrape through in written english so it doesn't hold him back! I do feel as though my main job will be to get him through school with some confidence left. It's a terrible system for those who don't fit. I do wonder who the hell fits.....?

Hemi thanks I will check that out

Although good, I think Pie Corbett is more aimed at an NT audience. Worth a look though.

Yes *lowdoor" - I watched a couple of videos and the first one was about how to represent the feelings of a character..... I'm happy to aim high, but I might just give myself 10 years or so on that one

I don't think they are all at that level though! I was thinking of the stuff for Year 1, for example, where they retell fairy tales and learn to change the 'ingredients' (elements of the story) to make new ones, once they've told and retold them enough times to be familiar with them. They aren't specifically for special needs, though.

Thanks Hemi - I will see if I can find some other resources. Pie Corbett seems to have prolific online content so it will take a while for me to work through it.

To be fair the stuff on emotions has got me thinking about how I might be able to work with him to build up a bank of useful vocabulary/verbs etc to use for different emotions....

I don't know this would be of any help, but I use these site with my ds who struggles with writing.

www.pobble365.com/ for inspirations.

about.readworks.org/how-to-do-article-a-day.html for knowledge and vocabulary

Those look good irvine - thanks

Activity village have a whole set of synonym posters on emotions if that would help www.activityvillage.co.uk/synonym-posters You would have to join in order to download them though

These activity books take a prescriptive approach to story writing providing scaffolding to keep ideas in order.

The Usborne My First Story Writing Book

The Usborne Write Your Own Storybook

Another couple of Usborne books, though aimed at younger children, might help to pique the imagination.

You Choose and Just Imagine

My DS finds writing difficult and I would sometimes scribe for him when he was younger, just to free him up so he could concentrate on the story itself. Even being able to write a story on a computer instead of by hand can make the whole process seem less laborious. (I’m not suggesting that handwriting practice isn’t important too but separating the writing and storytelling tasks might boost the morale of a struggling child.)

This website allows you to create your own storybooks on-line and add in pictures. It’s free unless you want to order a hard copy of the book you create.

www.storyjumper.com

Another possible resource is Rory’s story cubes.

www.storycubes.com

Out, the story jumper website looks fantastic!
I've just shown it to my ds and he can't wait to try it tomorrow. Thanks!

The "story mountain" from the first post - that's used in (mainstream, usual mix of abilities) classes in our school in primary 3/4 and is a really good practical tool.

Some of the 11+ prep type books have a thing where there is a simple 3-ish picture cartoon story, to be used as a prompt /plot outline for a short piece of creative writing. Don't know what these are called, but I think they are a great starting point and can be used verbally before moving on to writing.

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/english/download/file/Making%20Writing%20Real%20Pack.pdf
http://rendellps.leics.sch.uk/files/parentzone/literacyhelp/piecorbettwritingideas319920698.pdf

mrz, first link looks great, but second one says "page not found"!

I'm not sure what's happening

My daughter is Aspergers and is dyslexic she just compeleted www.magiclinkhandwriting.co.uk can't recommend it enough! Massive difference.

Thanks all. I've been offline for a couple of days so I'll check out those links. We also had success with Magic Link!

mrz thanks for those links (I found the second/broken one here

Do you know of any similar materials which are more about drawing together ideas?

I think DS' teacher has been doing lots of idea generating things with him but his Central Coherence problems mean it's difficult for him to draw the ideas together.

Ideally it might even be in visual or picture form.... Ideally for an Aspie it would be a step by step list of guidelines...

I appreciate that I may be looking for the impossible!

My asd ds doesnt like writing. He has a 1-2-1 that will follow him round outside writing down what he says they have got 2 and a half books out of him this way.

What about using a mind map?

iainbroome.com/blog/mind-maps-stories

From the above link: A mind map is a means to visually represent ideas and their relationship to one another.

www.mindmeister.com/blog/guide-storytelling-with-mind-maps/

I know you mentioned Pie Corbett but have you looked at his story maps https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JdvJZD-cplg