For families
How to use a social story at home: a step-by-step guide for parents
A social story is a short story with pictures that tells your child what will happen in a situation and what they can do. Many autistic children find new or hard situations easier when they know what to expect. Here is how to choose, read and use one at home.
What this page covers
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When a social story helps
- Before something new: a doctor's visit, a haircut, the first day at school, a trip.
- For a routine that is hard every time: bedtime, bath, trying new food, using the toilet.
- For a social skill: saying hi, asking for help, asking for a break, waiting your turn.
Step 1: Pick one situation
Choose one situation that is coming soon or keeps being hard. One story at a time works better than many.
Step 2: Make or choose a short story
A good social story is:
- Short. A few sentences, one idea per page.
- Written from your child's point of view, using "I" ("I go to the doctor. The doctor looks in my ears.").
- Mostly about what happens and why, with one or two sentences on what your child can do ("I can hold my toy while I wait.").
- Calm and positive. It describes the situation; it doesn't scold.
- Matched to your child. Use pictures your child understands. Photos of the real place help many children.
Step 3: Read it before the situation, at a calm time
Read the story together a few times in the days before, when your child is relaxed, not in the middle of a hard moment. Read it again just before the situation.
Step 4: Keep it easy to see
Leave the story where your child can look at it alone. Some families keep a copy in the bag for outings.
Step 5: Practice the words or actions
If the story teaches something to do or say, like "Can I have a break?", practice it together in play, then praise your child when they use it in real life. If your child says or shows it another way, that counts.
Step 6: Notice what works and adjust
After the situation, think about what went well. If your child got stuck on a part, add a page about it, or use a clearer picture.
If it isn't working yet
- Too long? Cut it to the most important pages.
- Your child isn't interested? Add a favorite character or photos of your child's own things.
- The story is new and the situation is today? That's fine. Read it now, and use it earlier next time.
- Your child is often very upset in a situation, or seems in pain or overwhelmed by sounds or touch? Talk with your child's doctor, occupational therapist or behavior analyst.
Make one free, or use a ready-made one
- Make your own free: our free Social Story tool lets you choose a situation and print a story. It asks for your email first.
- Ready-made social stories: we sell illustrated social stories that come with a teaching guide, for sleeping in their own bed, brushing teeth, getting dressed, trying new foods, asking for help, asking for a break, saying hi and goodbye, and more. Most are US$9.99, and some are also in Russian, Filipino (Tagalog) or Kazakh. See the social stories
- Pair it with a schedule: see how to use a visual schedule at home.
Social Stories is a trademark of Carol Gray. Here, "social story" means any short story that prepares a child for a situation.
Share this with another parent
If you know a parent getting ready for a doctor's visit, a haircut or a first day at school, send them this page.