That Would Be Expected

 I was reading a social story (a personal narrative to help students with autism understand and choose expected behavior when they are experiencing strong emotions) with one of my students today. We were reading about expected reactions when you are feeling angry. 

The stories I write for my students often have pictures, usually pictures of stickman, which I personally find hilarious.  Anyhow, the first part of the narrative describes times when this student in particular gets angry. As we were looking at the pictures, we were discussing whether the scenarios made him angry or not, and secondly, how angry.

"Hmm.. how about this - when things don't go as planned?" I tilted my head and grimaced a little. "Does that make you mad?"

"Yes!" he said frowning with his hands in the air and shrugging a little. "But actually, things never really go as I plan." He sighed.

"Oh,  I'm sorry to hear that," I said. "That must be so disappointing." I tried to make my voice a little sad to show I really felt for him even though I was trying not to show my surprise. This guy has some wild ideas.

After this exchange we moved on to what you CAN say and do when you are angry and of course, what you CAN"T say and do. These scenarios are often true stories.

"Could you say, 'I'm really mad right now?'" I asked.

He nodded.

"How about, 'Please leave me alone right now'?" I pointed/

He agreed that would be expected.

"What about telling people you're going to kill them?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and looking down at him.

"That's a no!" he said immediately.

Phew.