Social stories are a learning tool developed by teacher and author Carol Gray in the 1990s. While Gray was the first person to name social stories, in truth, their creation was a collaborative effort between Gray, her assistants, and her students with ASD.
A student named Eric inspired the idea. When the two sat down to watch a video of an assembly, which Eric interrupted multiple times, the student reflected on his behavior. He made a list of ways to stop interrupting the speaker (which included simple tasks like raising his hand, giving others a turn, and listening when others talked). Armed with this new knowledge, Eric practiced turn-taking in conversations. Soon enough, he stopped interrupting his teachers, classmates, and speakers.
The first social story was created when a boy named Tim had difficulty in his PE class. Gray observed that Tim became upset when the class played a game called “Charlie Over the Water.” Tim was unfamiliar with the game and became frustrated when he didn’t understand the rules. Gray created a social story called “Charlie Over the Water” to help him memorize the rules. After reviewing the story for several days, Tim understood the game and participated in PE.
Today, many people use social stories to help children understand different situations. Social stories are important tools to help children with ASD master social skills.
What is a Social Story?
A social story is a simple narrative that describes a social situation and the appropriate way to act in those situations. These stories can teach kids about events (like their first vacation), new skills (like turn-taking), or different topics (like school). Social stories typically use simple language, bright pictures, and fill-in-the-blank prompts.
How do Social Stories Help Children with Autism?
Children of all ages use social stories to learn about the world around them. Kids thrive on routine, as knowing what to expect helps them feel safe and secure. Neurotypical children, as well as those with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, and more, benefit from social stories.
Where can I Find Social Stories?
Thanks to the internet, social stories are just a search away! Websites like Autism Little Learners, Autism Parenting Magazine, and Carol Gray Social Stories have hundreds of social stories for you to download – all for free! Essential Speech & ABA Therapy also has free social stories available on our website. These social stories are customizable, which means your child can write down their thoughts and ideas. View our free social stories here!
Can Anyone Write a Social Story?
Yes! Anyone can write a social story. To create a custom social story, all you need are pictures, descriptive sentences, and an imagination! You can learn how to write a social story on the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s website.
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