TELLING
TO KIDS WITH DISABILITIES
(excerpts
from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure
to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material
is not in the public domain)
1) Things
that I find work: lots of refrains, repeating both words and actions
very very close - as much eye contact as you can get, moulding
hand movements etc if you can very simple participation eg clapping,
or one or two words, or sounds gross characterisations - extreme
facial expressions and intonations, very differentiated never
more than 5 mins per story.
2) Also just be aware that there may a totally surprising reaction
to something you say. It may be unfunny, but one will hysterically
laugh and all will follow. Or, something that always gets a laugh
will not get even a giggle. Most kids love exaggeration. One of
my favorites to tell is Purple, Green, and
Yellow by Robert Munsch. It definitely goes over the 5
min, but it moves so fast that they stay right along with me.
As a rule though keep the stories short with lots of actions,
add some participation and silly faces. Be prepared for lots of
hugs!!
3) Kinda going along with that, I like to use puppets for a visual
in that suggested fast-paced show with simple participation. Found
my puppet needed to stay just out of reach or the hand & puppet
might be hugged or kissed & become a true show stopper. But
remember if ever individuality is key to an audience, this will
be especially true with disabilities.
4) I have not done any work with autistic children but I thought
I would share this with you. The son of a friend of mine has the
same diagnosis as your son. He is eleven years old, an incredible
you man. He has come to a number of storytelling sessions to hear
me tell and his focus, attention, and interaction is amazing.
He LOVES to hear stories. The last time he came to hear me tell
he sat there for 45 minutes and listened, really listened. What
does he get out of it? I can't answer that other than he obviously
enjoys them and they spark his imagination.
Just this past week I took my cousin's little girl, who is also
autistic, for a walk on the beach. She is two years old. We spent
almost an hour walking, talking, playing, naming periwinkles,
jumping in ocean puddles, gathering mermaid's hair (seaweed) and
inventing a story about a princess who lived in the sand castle
we stumbled across. Imagination is the key for any child, not
matter what their abilities.
You might want to consider posting your question to the healing
story alliance listserv, a special interest group of the national
storytelling network. They have a separate listserv from ours
though many folks are on both. The focus of that group is using
stories as a healing tool. They might have some great resources
for you. Healing Story Alliance (A Special Interest Group of the
National Storytelling Network).
http://www.healingstory.org/home.html
(This
web page updated 9/23/03)
