Social Fortune or Social Fate: A Social Thinking Graphic Novel Map for Social Quest Seekers

Using manga-style illustrations to capture the attention of teens and tweens, we developed this award-winning book to teach the core concepts originally presented in Social Situation Mapping. Social Situation Maps teach that what we [all] do and say impact our own/others’ thoughts, actions, or reactions, which ultimately affects how we feel about ourselves. Social Fortune or Social Fate teaches the same concept in a graphic-style way.

Award-winning and kid-friendly, this graphic novel-style book uses comic strip scenarios to teach about common social and emotional chain reactions. Co-developed, critiqued, and inspired by Neurodivergent tweens and teens, this book represents the 10 social scenarios they most often encountered. The book is a comic-like visualization of how social situations can change quickly based on the choices one makes. Each scenario begins with a mini-story told through a series of illustrations that lead to a decision-making point. When reading the book from front to back, the scenarios represent expected choices for the situation. When flipping the book to read from front to back, the scenarios represent unexpected behaviors for that particular situation (note: unexpected behaviors within a situation are those that leave others confused).

Key concepts are explained in the teen-friendly opening pages of each side of the book, including the teaching principles supported through the behavior mapping. As students review the illustrated scenarios, they will find information that teaches about the scenario. Strategy codes such as TAC (i.e., think about choices) are taught to facilitate the decision making that lands the characters on the road to social fortune. Social autopsies are used to guide readers through a better understanding of the social fate scenarios.

Readers are also encouraged to explore their own problem solving scenarios and emotional reactions. A Problem Solving Thermometer is included to help demonstrate this concept

Unique Layout and Format Encourages Interaction, Reinforcement

In short, when you open this book, you will think half the text is printed upside-down, but it’s not! The book has two covers; one appears to be right side up, and the other appears to be upside-down. One cover depicts the social fortune side of the book; when the reader reads through these pages, they will find information about pro-social choices to given social scenarios. Turning the book over, the reader will find the back cover appears upside down. This is the social fate side. Once rotated to appear right side up, the reader will see text in the appropriate direction. This is a cool teaching method for teens and a playful way to show two different points of view. We also have a hidden code in the book: embedded in each scenario is a hidden letter from the alphabet, which when located in the text and written into the code helps to identify the “words of wisdom.”

Ten Social Scenarios from Neurodivergent Students

Been there, know that: Participating in the class discussion
Speaking nothing but the truth: Someone you like does something different with their appearance
Bored outta my brain: Being part of the learning group during the boring moment
It’s doomsday: Time to finish homework
Clue me in! Figuring out what to say to others
Huh? Getting help in the classroom
You talkin’ to me? Classroom lesson when you know the answer
My way or the highway: Working in a small group
Who changed the rules? Break time
Know when to take a detour: Sharing ideas/opinions

Suitable for ages 10+