What are Social Stories?
Social Stories are personalised and easy-to-understand short stories to support autistic people of all ages understand what is happening in a given situation, what to expect and how they might respond to alleviate stress. These stories were developed by Carol Gray, a teacher working with young autistic children, in 1990 to present social information clearly and reassuringly, respecting the person’s unique perspective. Today, they are widely used by families, therapists, support workers, and teachers.
Imagine an autistic person entering a room where they don’t know what people expect from them, or how to act. For many autistic people, this is what social situations can feel like. Social Stories offer a visual and structured format to make these moments easier by explaining what to expect, who is involved, and what someone can do in that situation. Because many interactions rely on uncertainty, for autistic people who process information differently, it can be confusing or overwhelming. Social Stories bring clarity. They can reduce anxiety, reduce uncertainty and stress.
The use of Social Stories closely aligns with the principles of the Autism Act 2009. The Act was introduced to improve support and services for autistic adults, ensuring they are better understood and properly supported across all areas of public life. A key element of the Autism Act is the emphasis on person-centred approaches that respond to individual needs. Social Stories fit perfectly within this framework, as they offer a respectful, adaptable, and supportive tool that can be tailored to each person.
We have created a brief overview of the legislation. You can read and download the Autism Act here:
Who are Social Stories for?
While Social Stories were initially developed for people on the autism spectrum as an evidence-based tool, their utility has been recognised for people with a learning disability, ADHD, and communication difficulties.
People who experience anxiety disorders or social phobias can also benefit from the concept of Social Stories. Mental health practitioners have integrated Social Stories into therapeutic interventions to assist people in building confidence and competence in social settings. Also, this tool was used in educational settings for students who experienced struggles with social integration or social interaction, by incorporating Social Stories in the curriculum to help young people easily understand social norms, communication and social skills.
What are Social Stories Used for?
Because many interactions rely on uncertainty, for autistic people who process information differently, it can be confusing or overwhelming. Social Stories bring clarity. Care professionals, especially Multimedia specialists, write Social Stories to help autistic people reduce anxiety, uncertainty and stress. They give people the information they need in a clear, structured, and reassuring way.
Social Stories are also used to:
Prepare someone for new experiences. Starting a new school, visiting a dentist, taking public transport, or attending a family event can feel overwhelming. A Social Story explains each step, introduces the people involved, and reassures the person about what to expect. For example, one Social Story might say: “When I go to the dentist, I will sit in a chair. The dentist will look at my teeth. I can take deep breaths if I feel nervous. Afterwards, I will go home.”
Explain emotions and support self-regulation – What does it mean to feel angry? How can I stay calm when I’m frustrated? These are not easy questions, but Social Stories offer gentle answers. They can teach someone how to recognise their feelings, whether they are frustrated, sad, what anger feels like, whether they are overwhelmed, how to calm down, etc.
Build independence through teaching life skills and daily routines – They guide people through everyday routines like cooking a meal, packing a bag, and morning and bedtime routines. With repetition, people gain confidence and start to manage these tasks on their own.
These stories are flexible. They can be about brushing teeth, or as complex as managing big emotions or preparing to transition from the hospital to a person’s home.
The Idea Behind Social Stories
What if every new experience came with its own gentle guide? That’s the idea behind Social Stories. And for many people, it makes all the difference.
These thoughtful tools were primarily created to help autistic people understand the world around them. Social Stories are about making life easier to understand.
Many social situations, like visiting the doctor, waiting in line, or taking a bus, can feel overwhelming. Why? Because they often come with rules that aren’t explained. They offer a safe and respectful way to prepare people for everyday challenges without making them feel pressured or judged.
Each story is written for one person, meaning a good Social Story is personalised. It uses the person’s name, preferred communication style, and includes pictures or symbols if needed. For example, a Social Story about going to school might consist of real photos of the building, the teacher, and the classroom. The story might say, “My name is Sam. I go to school from Monday to Friday. When I get to school, I say hello to my teacher. I feel happy when I know what will happen next.”
This structure supports the person’s thinking. It answers questions they may be too anxious or unsure to ask. What will happen? Who will be there? What will I do if something changes? Can I ask for help? Social Stories also reflect a person’s strengths. They don’t focus on what someone can’t do but on what they can do, with guidance and support. They often include helpful strategies too, like deep breathing or asking for help.
Key Elements of an Effective Social Story
The goal of a Social Story is to inform and support, not to dictate behaviour. Creating effective Social Stories involves using specific types of sentences to provide clear, supportive guidance. Each sentence type serves a unique purpose in helping autistic people understand and better manage social situations. Let’s explore these sentence types step by step, with examples to illustrate their use.
Descriptive Sentences (What Happens)
The descriptive sentences explain the situation using facts. They describe what happens in a specific situation, who is involved, where, and when.
Writing one includes:
Sticking to facts, not feelings.
Keeping it simple and clear.
Example:
“At the supermarket, I walk next to Mum and help carry the basket.”
Perspective Sentences (How Others Feel)
Directive sentences suggest appropriate responses or actions, offering gentle guidance on behaving in the given context.
Writing one includes:
Focus on empathy.
Use simple emotional language.
Example:
“Other people feel happy when I say ‘hello’ with a smile.”
Directive Sentences (What the Person Can Try)
Directive sentences suggest appropriate responses or actions, offering gentle guidance on behaving in the given context.
Writing one includes:
Using phrases like “I can…” or “I will try to…”.
Avoid using “must” or “should”.
Example:
“I can wait calmly in the queue until it is my turn.”
Affirmative Sentences (Reassurance)
Affirmative sentences reinforce the main message and offer a sense of safety.
Writing one includes:
Using positive language.
Keeping it uplifting.
Example:
“It’s okay to feel nervous, but I know I am safe.”
Cooperative Sentences (Who Can Help)
Cooperative sentences are all about support. They are a reminder to the person that support is available.
Writing one includes:
Including someone familiar (parent, teacher, carer).
Be specific about how they can help.
Example:
“If I don’t know what to do, I can ask Mum or my support worker.”
Control Sentences (What can I do for myself?)
These are often written by the person and describe strategies that work for them. The goal is to improve personal coping mechanisms.
Writing one includes:
Keeping it encouraging and personal.
Using calming or familiar techniques that work.
Example:
“If I feel worried, I can squeeze my fidget toy and count to five.”
Partial Sentences (Fill in the missing word)
These sentences encourage interaction and learning by completing sentences together.
Writing one includes:
Leaving out one key word for the person to guess or say.
Example:
“Before I cross the road, I look left and ___.” (Answer: right)
Putting Social Stories Together
Social Stories are powerful tools when used with love, repetition, and personalisation. Here’s a mini example using all elements:
Title: Going to the Dentist
Descriptive: “Sometimes, I visit the dentist to check my teeth.”
Perspective: “The dentist wants to help keep my teeth healthy.”
Directive: “I can open my mouth wide when it’s my turn.”
Affirmative: “It’s okay to feel a bit nervous, but I am safe.”
Cooperative: “Mum can hold my hand if I feel unsure.”
Control: “I can count to ten in my head to feel calm.”
Partial: “After my appointment, I can say ___ to the dentist.” (Answer: thank you)
Benefits of Social Stories for Autistic Children
Social Stories are an incredibly valuable tool for supporting autistic children in their social development. These stories provide clear, visual, and structured information and can significantly benefit a child’s understanding of social communication, behaviour, and situations. But how exactly do Social Stories help autistic children, and why are they so important?
Improved Social Understanding
For many children, social interactions can be confusing or overwhelming. The structured visual format that Social Stories provide explains the expectations for behaviour in various social situations, such as how to greet someone or how to wait in line. The stories break down complex social rules into simple, visual steps, helping the child understand how to act in different scenarios. Research from the National Autistic Society (NAS) highlights that children with autism often struggle with understanding the unwritten social rules that others may take for granted. Social Stories provide a way to learn these rules, making it easier for children to navigate social settings or a particular social event.
Teaching Appropriate Social Behaviours
Social Stories also teach appropriate social behaviours and picking up on social cues, due to the child’s ability level. Children can practice positive social interactions by presenting specific actions in a story format and see what is expected of them. For example, a story about how to share toys during playtime can teach a child how to interact with others in a way that is respectful and cooperative. According to a study, the consistency and repetition in Social Stories help children internalise these behaviours, making them more likely to perform them in real-life situations.
With the Social Stories support, children can practice skills, on their own terms, in an environment that is supportive and not pressured. This structured approach ensures that social behaviors are taught in a clear and accessible way.
Enhanced Communication
Communication can be challenging for autistic children, but Social Stories can help by providing them with the tools they need to understand and express themselves. The use of visuals in Social Stories aids in comprehension, especially for children who may have difficulty with verbal communication. Children can better understand the story’s meaning by seeing pictures alongside written or spoken words. This visual support helps bridge the gap between what the child wants to say and what others expect. The clarity that Social Stories provide can enhance a child’s ability to communicate their thoughts and needs.
Increased Independence and Confidence
Another significant benefit of Social Stories is their fostering greater independence and confidence. Allowing children to access these stories whenever needed will enable them to independently refer to them for guidance in various situations. For example, a child may use a Social Story to remember how to approach a new activity or how to ask for help, which can reduce feelings of helplessness and boost their self-esteem.
Reduced Anxiety and Improved Emotional Regulation
For many autistic children, anxiety can arise when they are uncertain about what to expect in social situations. Social Stories help to reduce this anxiety by providing a clear, predictable understanding of what will happen. A study from the University of Cambridge found that children with autism who used Social Stories experienced lower levels of anxiety and were better able to regulate their emotions. The consistent, structured format of Social Stories creates a sense of security, enabling children to approach situations with less stress.
Autism Support with Leaf Complex Care
In the UK, over 700,000 people are autistic, which means that’s more than 1 in 100 people. Behind this number are people with their own stories, journeys, unique strengths, needs and dreams.
What does a good day look like for you? What helps you feel safe? How do you like to communicate? Asking the right questions often leads to building a support plan that fits the person, not the other way around.
We offer support in people’s homes and communities across the UK. Our highly trained teams, including Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioners, Multimedia specialists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists, work together to support each person’s goals. Whether it’s building independence, supporting relationships, or exploring education and work, we walk alongside each person on their journey.
Take a moment and look at how our Multimedia Specialist, Benjamin Andrews, created a visual story for Rylee to help him manage the day’s scheduled activities and the journey to his mother’s house for the holidays.
To guide our approach, we use the PERMA model of well-being — a positive psychology framework developed by Dr. Martin Seligman. PERMA stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. This model helps us to look beyond day-to-day support and focus on what makes life truly fulfilling. How can we help someone experience joy? How can we strengthen their sense of connection and purpose? Using PERMA, we tailor support to well-being from every angle — emotional, social, and personal.
Because everyone deserves a life they love — and the right support to live it.
For any further information, contact us today, or visit our offices located in Bristol, the South East, the Midlands and Somerset. If you are a case commissioner or a social worker, you can make a referral here.
