Jaysmum - story writing

[KarenThirl]

Hi Jaysmum

Just wanted to say Thank You for the mind map/ spider web suggestion you gave for getting J to do some creative writing. Tried it over the weekend and had mixed results, but the good news is that we got something onto paper that resembles the beginnings of a story. It was all very Harry Potter orientated but it did work. Made the web on Sat morning and wrote the first couple of sentences. Refused completely to do anything Sun morning (put his head on the table and pretended to be asleep), but wrote a few more lines after tea. Says he wants to try some more tonight.

Hope this one keeps working! Thanks again.

[MrsFROSTgetful]

i read somewhere about getting ASD kids to 'roleplay' as a favourite characrter they love- and then describe the world through their eyes....not sure how/if this works due to the need to 'imagine' ....however...ds2 lives and breaths pokemon at the nmoment and this stratagie did work when he was 'meltdowning' over spelling homework a while ago- got him to write every sentance (including the spellings he was set) whilst he prentended HE WAS his favourite pokemon team leader....

[coppertop]

Ds1 has just started getting the idea of telling his own stories. His all seem to revolve around Shrek and dragons atm but it's really given us an insight into how his mind works. He tells me the story. I write it down. He then does the pictures for it. We used this as a way of building on his drawing skills/pen-control but it seems to be helping with his imaginative skills too.

[KarenThirl]

J's great imaginatively when he's talking, but the problem has always been getting it onto paper. Sometimes I'll say "What's going to happen next" and he's off ... but it stays in his head and he won't write it down. Has never been one for dressing up either, until recently when HP took over his life. Interestingly, he went to his first fancy dress party last Halloween dressed as HP and it was as if I'd taken a different kid to the party. He was right in the thick of it - HE EVEN DANCED! - and later he told me it was because he was Harry Potter, and because HP is brave, J could be too. I now use the HP angle whenever I need something done. Spelling homework this weekend was 'Herbology' (even there was no link whatsoever) - eg some plants grow better with music playing, especially on the GUITAR ... and he spelt it no problem whereas earlier he'd been kicking up a stink about it.

[JaysMum]

Glad you found it a little help.....just persevere and it should help to build up your sons ability to stay focussed and on track. Like all things it takes time.

Nice to know I pass on some useful advice once in a while....its normally me screaming out for help!!!!

[KarenThirl]

Well, you're probably the one who's tried everything then! Keeping my fingers crossed - even the successful strategies seem to have a short shelf-life, but this one looks good.