Back to basics: what are social stories?

Autism,  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Individuals with autism may have difficulty understanding social cues, expressing themselves, and interpreting the emotions and intentions of others. Social stories are a tool that can be used to help individuals with autism understand and navigate social situations.

A social story is a short, written description of a social situation that includes specific details about what to expect and how to respond. The story is typically written in the first person and can include illustrations or photographs to help the individual understand the scenario. Social stories can be used to teach a wide range of social skills, such as how to make friends, how to take turns in a conversation, or how to handle being bullied.

Social stories were first introduced by Carol Gray, an autism consultant, in 1991. She recognized that children with autism often struggle with understanding and navigating social situations, and she developed social stories as a way to provide them with the information they need to succeed. Social stories can be used with individuals of all ages and at all levels of functioning.

One of the key benefits of social stories is that they provide a clear and concrete explanation of the social situation and the expected behavior. This can be particularly helpful for individuals with autism, who may have difficulty understanding abstract concepts or interpreting social cues. By providing a clear and detailed description of the situation, social stories can help individuals with autism understand what is expected of them and how to behave appropriately.

Another benefit of social stories is that they can be tailored to the individual's specific needs. For example, if an individual with autism is struggling with making friends, a social story can be written that specifically addresses that issue. The story can include information about how to initiate a conversation, how to maintain a conversation, and how to respond to rejection. By providing specific and relevant information, social stories can be an effective tool for helping individuals with autism learn and apply new social skills.

Social stories can also be used to help individuals with autism understand and cope with difficult situations. For example, if an individual with autism is struggling with anxiety in social situations, a social story can be written that describes the physical and emotional sensations associated with anxiety and provides strategies for coping with them. By providing a clear and concrete explanation of the situation and the appropriate response, social stories can help individuals with autism feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

It's important to note that social stories are not a magic solution and it's not guaranteed that they will work for every individual with autism. It's important to work with a trained professional to create and implement social stories. They can help to assess the individual's specific needs, create an appropriate social story, and provide guidance on how to use the story effectively. Additionally, it's important to use social stories as one of many strategies for teaching social skills and addressing social challenges.

It's now widely accepted that social stories can be an effective tool for helping individuals with autism understand and navigate social situations. By providing clear and concrete explanations of the situation and the expected behavior, social stories can help individuals with autism understand what is expected of them and how to behave appropriately. 

Additionally, social stories can be tailored to the individual's specific needs and can be used to help them understand and cope with difficult situations. It's important to work with a trained professional to create and implement social stories, and to use them as one of many strategies for teaching social skills and addressing social challenges.