Using My Words to Ask

This app includes a 13 page social story about using words to ask for what you want, and a simple visual support for manding, or asking for different objects or activities. The story focuses on why it’s important to tell people what you need or want, and the visual tool helps people who are non-verbal to ask for 9 specific things.

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The app opens up to a menu that allows the user to read the story, or access 9 buttons that “speak” when tapped asking for different items or activities.

“Mands” or requests are typically the easiest type of speech to teach children because they lead so directly to, and in fact specify, a reinforcer. Certain individuals, particularly those with a communication delay as someone diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, may need more direct instruction in learning to “use their words” to get what they need or want.
Social stories are an important type of visual support often used with children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome or other special need. Teaching conversational skills to any child may be easier and less stressful when visual supports, like social stories are used. This social story uses simple text and descriptive pictures to explain why and how to use words to ask for what you want or need.

Social stories were first defined by Carol Gray in 1991 and are commonly used to break down a task or social situation into small and easy to understand steps, often accompanied by descriptive pictures. Social stories are easy to implement and are used by many professionals for a wide range of behaviors and skills.