- Social stories are short first-person narratives that prepare autistic people for specific situations.
- They give explicit, concrete information that neurotypical people often absorb implicitly.
- Good ones favor descriptive and perspective sentences over directive commands.
- They reduce anxiety by replacing ambiguity with clarity, not by demanding compliance.
Social stories were developed by Carol Gray in 1991. They are short, first-person narratives that describe a specific social situation, the perspectives of people in that situation, and appropriate responses.
The core idea: autistic people benefit from explicit, concrete information about social situations that neurotypical people absorb implicitly. A social story provides that information in a format that is accessible and can be reviewed before the situation occurs.
What makes a good social story: it is written in first person ("I am going to the dentist"). It describes the situation, what will happen, how others might feel, and what the person can do. It uses more descriptive and perspective sentences than directive ones. It is written at the person's comprehension level.
Example structure: "Sometimes I go to the dentist. The dentist checks my teeth. The bright light helps the dentist see. Some things feel different in my mouth. The dentist wants to help keep my teeth healthy. When the check-up is done, I can go home. I can feel proud that I went to the dentist."
When to use them: before first-time experiences, before returning to a difficult situation, to prepare for transitions (new school, new classroom, family event), and to introduce new expectations or changes.
Social stories are not scripts for compliance. They are tools for understanding. The goal is to reduce anxiety by replacing ambiguity with clear information, not to dictate behavior.
Apps and tools: Social Story Creator (iOS), Boardmaker, and simple Google Slides with photos work well. The format matters less than the content.
More from WeBearish
- Sensory Tools Guide, Tools the autism community actually recommends - Getting a Diagnosis: A Parent's Guide, Step by step, plain English - Join the WeBearish Community, $3/month. No tragedy narratives.
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Helpful Tools & Resources
Sensory tools, books, and resources that support autistic people and their families:
- Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids, One of the most impactful sensory tools for many autistic people - Weighted Blankets, Deep pressure support for regulation - Fidget Tools, Tactile regulation tools for hands and focus - Identity-First Books About Autism, Books that celebrate autistic identity - The Explosive Child, Ross Greene, Collaborative problem-solving, respected by autism advocates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a social story?
Social stories were developed by Carol Gray in 1991. They are short, first-person narratives that describe a specific social situation, the perspectives of the people in it, and appropriate responses. The core idea is that autistic people benefit from explicit, concrete information about social situations that neurotypical people tend to absorb implicitly.
What makes a good social story?
A good social story is written in the first person, describes the situation and what will happen, explains how others might feel, and offers what the person can do. It uses more descriptive and perspective sentences than directive ones and is written at the person's comprehension level. The goal is to reduce anxiety by replacing ambiguity with clear information, not to dictate behavior.
When should I use a social story with my child?
Social stories work well before first-time experiences, before returning to a difficult situation, to prepare for transitions like a new school or classroom, and to introduce new expectations or changes. They are tools for understanding rather than scripts for compliance. Apps like Social Story Creator, Boardmaker, or simple Google Slides with photos all work, since the content matters more than the format.