Social stories are a useful tool for helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) understand and navigate everyday situations. Developed by Carol Gray in the early 1990s, social stories use simple language and visuals to explain social situations and appropriate responses in a clear and structured way. For children with ASD, who can face challenges with social communication and managing unpredictability, social stories provide a helpful framework to make sense of the world around them.
Why Social Stories Work
Children with ASD may find it difficult to pick up on social cues, understand unwritten rules, or manage changes to routine. Social stories help by breaking down complex social situations into small, manageable parts. They describe:
🌈 What’s going to happen
🌈 How others might feel
🌈 What the child can do or say in response
How they Support Children and Young People with ASD:
Understanding Social Situations:
Social stories can help children and young people with ASD to understand social situations as they support them to understand social cues, expected behaviours, and appropriate responses by presenting information in a clear and structured manner.
Reducing Anxiety and Uncertainty:
Situations Where Social Stories Can Help
Social stories can be created for almost any situation that might cause confusion or anxiety for a child with ASD. Here are some common examples:
1. Starting in a New Class
A social story might include pictures of the new classroom, the teacher’s name, and a description of the daily timetable to help the child know what to expect.
“I will go to my new class. My teacher is called Ms. Khan. I will put my bag on the hook with my name on and sit at my desk. If I need help, I can put up my hand.”
2. Taking Turns
Children with ASD may find it difficult to understand the social rule of turn-taking. A social story can explain how to wait and respond appropriately.
“When I want to play a game, I might have to wait my turn. If someone else is playing, I can say, ‘Can I have a turn next?’ Waiting for my turn is okay.”
3. Dealing with Loud Noises
Unexpected loud noises, like a fire alarm, can be distressing. A social story can prepare the child for how to respond calmly.
“Sometimes the fire alarm might go off. It will be loud, but I can cover my ears and take deep breaths. I will walk calmly to the door with my class.”
We have a free resource which summarises Social Stories on our blog with more resources to come including how to write your own social stories.
