The Purpose of Social Stories for Autism
The core purpose of Social Stories for autistic people is to enhance understanding, reduce anxiety, and support positive behaviour by providing clear, structured, and respectful explanations of social situations and expectations. These stories also promote self-awareness and social understanding, encourage independence and life skills, and respect the voice and dignity of the autistic person.
Developed by Carol Gray in 1991, Social Stories are especially valuable because autistic people often experience challenges with social communication and interpreting social cues. Therefore, autistic people may find it difficult to understand:
What is expected of them in specific situations (e.g., what to do in a queue or at a birthday party)
Why do others behave in a certain way
How to respond appropriately
Unexpected events or complex social situations can be distressing for many autistic people. Social Stories reduce anxiety by:
Explaining what will happen, when, and why
Providing information in advance to prepare for transitions or new experiences (e.g., a first dentist visit, moving to a new school)
Offering predictability and reassurance, which is often calming.
This clarity allows people to face situations with more confidence and less fear.
⇒ Read more about how we can better connect autistic people with community opportunities.
How to Write Social Stories for Autistic Children?
Creating effective Social Stories for autistic children involves a structured approach that ensures clarity, relevance, and positivity. Here is a step-by-step guide focusing on three key aspects: setting a clear and specific goal, conducting thorough research, and using descriptive and positive language.
Set a Clear and Specific Goal
Begin by identifying a precise objective for the Social Story. This could be a specific behaviour, preparing for a new experience, or teaching a particular social skill. For instance, the goal might be to help a child understand the steps involved in attending a birthday party or to teach appropriate ways to ask for a break when feeling overwhelmed.
Carol Gray emphasises that each Social Story should focus on a single goal to maintain clarity and effectiveness. Defining a specific purpose ensures the story remains targeted and relevant to the child’s needs.
🎯 What to Do: Start by identifying one specific situation, behaviour, or social skill the child needs support understanding. The goal should be focused, achievable, and relevant to the child’s daily life.
🎯 Goal (example): ”Help the child understand what to expect during a fire drill at school.”
🎯 Mini Social Story (based on this goal):
“Sometimes, my school has fire drills. A loud alarm will ring to tell everyone to leave the building. This helps us practice staying safe. I can cover my ears if the sound is too loud. My teacher will help me.”
Thorough Research
Understanding the context and the child’s perspective through story research is crucial. Gather detailed information about the situation, including the setting, people involved, expected behaviours, and potential challenges. This research helps in crafting a story that is accurate and relatable.
According to Carol Gray’s guidelines, a well-developed Social Story answers the ‘Six Questions’:
Where does the situation occur?
When does it happen?
Who is involved?
What is happening?
How does it unfold?
Why does it occur?
These questions ensure the story provides comprehensive information, aiding the child’s understanding of the social scenario.
🔍 What to Do: Gather all the details about the situation. Consider the setting, timing, people involved, steps in the process, and potential sensory experiences. Also, understand the child’s current level of understanding or anxiety around the situation.
🔍 Example Research Focus:
You’re writing a story about visiting the dentist — find out:
What happens step-by-step?
What sounds, smells, or tools might be involved?
Who will the child meet?
🔍 Mini Social Story (based on the research):
“I will go to the dentist with Mum. We will sit in the waiting room. The dentist wears a mask and gloves. I will sit in a big chair that leans back. The dentist will use small tools to check my teeth. It might feel funny, but it doesn’t hurt.”
Use Descriptive and Positive Language
The language used in a Social Story should be clear, descriptive, and positive. Focus on stating facts and observable social behaviors without judgment or assumptions. For example, instead of saying, “You must not shout,” a more descriptive approach would be, “Sometimes, people speak in a quiet voice when they are inside.” Social Stories should predominantly consist of descriptive sentences, with a recommended ratio of at least two descriptive sentences for every directive sentence. This approach ensures that the story informs rather than directs, allowing the child to understand and internalise the information.
Additionally, incorporating affirmative sentences can reinforce positive behaviours and values. For instance, “It’s okay to ask for help when I don’t understand something” affirms that seeking assistance is acceptable and encouraged.
🗣️ What to Do: Use clear, concrete, and positive sentences. Avoid commands. Focus on describing what usually happens, what others might feel, and what the child can do. Use “I can,” “Sometimes,” or “People often…” instead of “You must” or “Don’t…“
🗣️ Example Focus: Teaching a child about taking turns while playing.
🗣️ Mini Social Story (using descriptive and positive tone):
“When I play with friends, we take turns. This means I wait while someone else has a go. Taking turns helps everyone enjoy the game. I can use a timer if it’s hard to wait. My friends are happy when we all get a turn.”
Key Components of a Social Story
Social Stories are simple yet powerful social learning tools used to support autistic children, young people and adults in understanding the world around them. But what makes a Social Story truly effective? At its heart, a Social Story is a bridge. It connects the world’s often confusing social expectations to a person’s unique way of experiencing life. Through its structure, visuals, personal focus, and kind tone, it says: “You matter. Your thoughts and feelings are important. This story is here for you“
Structure and Format
Every Social Story begins with a strong and clear structure. It is carefully designed to be easy to follow, using short sentences and a logical flow. Typically, a story has a beginning, middle, and end, just like any good story, but focuses on teaching, not entertaining. A well-crafted Social Story follows a clear structure to ensure comprehension and effectiveness:
Title: Reflects the story’s overall meaning and can be phrased as a question to engage the reader.
Introduction: Sets the context by describing where and when the situation occurs, who is involved, and what typically happens.
Body: Provides detailed information, including the thoughts and feelings of others, and suggests appropriate responses.
Conclusion: Reinforces the key message and summarises the information presented.
The structure includes different types of sentences that each serve a purpose:
Descriptive sentences explain what is happening transparently and honestly.
Perspective sentences help the person understand how others might feel or think in a situation.
Directive sentences suggest how the individual could respond or behave.
Affirmative sentences remind the person of important values or beliefs.
A helpful rule is that there should be two to five descriptive or perspective sentences for every directive sentence (which tells what to do). This keeps the story supportive, not bossy. It also helps the person feel safe and informed, not pressured.
Can you think of a time when you felt more confident just because someone explained things clearly? That’s the magic of structure. It gives our minds a sense of order and calm.
Visuals and Illustrations
Many people on the autism spectrum benefit from visual supports as visual learners. This means they understand and remember things better when they see them, not just hear or read about them. That’s why pictures, drawings, or symbols are often used in Social Stories.
Visuals can include:
Photographs: Real-life images that depict the people, places, or objects mentioned in the story.
Symbols or Icons: Simplified images that represent actions or ideas.
Drawings: Custom illustrations tailored to the person’s experiences.
Visual cues, like colour-coded cards or pointing arrows, highlight what to focus on in a situation. For example, a red border might show something important to stop and notice.
Representing actions and emotions is key. Simple illustrations of people showing different feelings (like nervous, happy, or frustrated) or doing actions (like waiting, raising a hand, or asking for help) can make abstract ideas much easier to understand.
Sequential images – a series of pictures showing a step-by-step process—are also helpful. They can walk someone through what happens first, next, and last, such as getting ready for bed or visiting a new place. This makes the story feel predictable and safe.
Importantly, visuals should always support the text, not distract from it. They need to be simple, straightforward, and relevant. When used correctly, images help people feel more prepared for what they might see, do, or feel in real life.
Person-Centred Narrative
A key strength of Social Stories is that they are personal. The story is about the person, using the child’s name, experiences, and the situations they find challenging. Social Stories are usually written in the first or third person, but to make it more meaningful and personal, they should be written in first person (e.g., “I can try to wait my turn at the slide“), containing past, present, or future tense. They are also developmentally appropriate, meaning the language and ideas are just right for the person’s age and understanding.
What else should be included?
Customisation: Incorporate the person’s name, specific settings, and familiar routines to make the story more relatable.
Developmental Appropriateness: Ensure the language, content, and visuals align with the person’s age and cognitive level.
Positive and Supportive Tone
Finally, tone matters. A good Social Story criterion always has a calm, respectful, and supportive voice. It never criticises or commands. Instead, it encourages and reassures.
Maintaining a positive and supportive tone is crucial in Social Stories, and can be implemented through using:
Affirming language: Use encouraging words that focus on what the person can do, rather than what they shouldn’t do.
Non-judgmental: Avoid language that may be perceived as critical or directive. Instead, suggest behaviours gently – ”I will try to…”
Literal accuracy: Use clear and straightforward language to prevent misunderstandings, especially since autistic people may interpret information literally.
For example, instead of saying, “Don’t hit others,” a supportive Social Story might say, “When I feel angry, I can ask for help or take deep breaths.” This positive framing helps the person feel they have choices and control, rather than feeling they are being told off. A positive tone shows that everyone makes mistakes and that learning new things is a regular part of life. It creates emotional safety.
The Power of Social Stories as a Tool for Promoting Positive Behaviour in Autistic Children
Every child is specific and learns about the world and their surroundings differently. For autistic children, understanding the world can sometimes feel confusing, overwhelming, or unpredictable. That’s why clear, gentle, and consistent learning tools can make a world of difference.
Remembering that all behaviour is a form of communication is crucial in training. Sometimes what is seen as “challenging behaviour” is really a sign of fear, confusion, or unmet needs. Social Stories help to prevent such situations by explaining what is happening ahead of time. When a child knows what to expect, they’re more likely to feel safe, and when they feel safe, they’re more likely to stay calm, cooperate, and engage.
Rather than telling an autistic person what not to do, Social Stories positively guide behaviour by:
Offering appropriate ways to respond
Reinforcing desired behaviours in a non-judgmental and respectful tone
Let’s say a child struggles with transitions, like leaving the playground. A Social Story might say: “When playtime ends, I will hear a bell. That means it is time to stop playing and go back to class. I might feel sad, and that’s okay. I can say, ‘I want to play more later.’” This story explains what happens and offers the child language and tools to cope with their feelings.
In a world that often expects autistic children to “fit in,” Social Stories gently say, “Let me meet you where you are.” They acknowledge that understanding takes time, and learning doesn’t happen the same way for everyone.
⇒ Read more about how Positive Behaviour Support works and how our PBS specialists can support you.
Autism Support with Leaf Complex Care
Living with autism shouldn’t mean facing a world that misunderstands your needs or waiting months for the proper support to become available.
At Leaf Complex Care, we provide specialist community-based care tailored to each person’s sensory profile, communication style, and personal goals. Whether stepping down from a hospital placement, navigating a crisis, or transitioning into community living, our support is designed to meet people where they are, without delay or compromise.
Meet Rylee
When we first met Rylee, he was experiencing residual trauma from a hospitalisation that marked a challenging chapter in his life. Today, Rylee lives in a home where his personal preferences guide every aspect of care, with the support he deserves. It’s a space where he can grow, explore his hobbies, and pursue his dreams.
Rylee had a fantastic idea to surprise his mother for Christmas. Together with Rylee, we made it happen how he wanted it! With the support of our therapy team and multimedia specialist, Benjamin Andrews, he carefully organised the visit. Benjamin created a video story to help Rylee manage the day’s scheduled activities and the journey to his mother’s house for Christmas. He made sure everything went according to plan. Take a look:
Download the case studies and see how our person-centred care brings positive change and empowers individuals to be as independent as possible in the community and their own homes.
Our team is committed to working collaboratively with families, case commissioners and social workers to ensure the best care outcomes. We welcome your inquiries and are here to assist with any information you need.
Our offices are located in Bristol, the South East, the Midlands and Somerset.
