How to Write Musical Social Stories Hey everyone, welcome back to The Rhythm Tree,
my name is Ryan Judd, I'm a board certified music therapist, and I've got a little tune
for you.
I might want to walk up to a stranger and say hi
But before I do, I will try To ask the adult who I'm with if it's ok
That's what I'll say Is it ok
Alright, so that's just a little bit of a musical social story that I wrote for one
of my clients with Williams syndrome.
If you don't know much about Williams syndrome, May's a great month to learn because it's
William's Syndrome Awareness month.
I'll give you a link below for more information.
So people with Williams syndrome are amazing.
They have a natural affinity for music, so obviously it makes sense to use music to teach
them and to work on developmental and therapeutic goals.
So my client as many people with Williams syndrome are, are so friendly, are so gregarious,
and they tend to just go up to anyone to say hi.
So obviously this can be an issue, especially with children walking up to strangers and
being over friendly.
So we came up with this social story, musical social story, about asking an adult if it's
ok before we walk up to someone to say hi.
And I used a great app on the IPad, it's a free app, it's called story creator, and this
is what I used to record my voice, the guitar, to write text, and to add pictures from my
camera roll, you can go online and do a screenshot of images, there's lots of ways to put these
stories together.
And then what I love, it's going to be on my client's IPad, and he can review it throughout
the day and especially before going to the supermarket or going to public areas, where
this might be an issue.
So you can do the same thing.
You can either take a traditional melody like Old McDonald and write your own words to it,
Write your own social story words, or you can even just take a traditional social story
and chant it and add that rhythmic element that will draw a child in and have it be more
engaging.
So instead of making it this big musical thing, if you want to do something a little quicker
and easier, you could do something like, I might want to walk up to a stranger and
say hi But before I do,
I will try So that's a way that, I think it really draws
the child in and makes it more engaging.
So musical social stories, check out the links I have below and please share this with anyone
who might be interested and of course if you haven't signed up for my newsletter yet, please
sign up.
I'm going to give you even more great tips and resources on how to use music to help
children with special needs.
I'll put a link right below and I'll see you next time at The Rhythm Tree.
Take Care When I leave my home
I won't be alone But I have to follow rules
Around people I know People I don't know
Have never met Adult strangers ...
There's strangers at school At the store
Everywhere I go I see more
Might want to go up to a stranger and say hi
But before I do, I will try To ask the adult who I'm with if it's ok
That's what I'll say, is it ok This will keep me happy
... safe Happy and safe every day hooray
Happy and safe every day hooray