If your child has special learning needs, you’ve probably heard about the advantages and potential applications of social stories. Social stories can support young learners in adjusting to new routines, engaging in conversations, developing specific life skills, and learning how to interact with peers. Whatever the situation, social stories can help children understand what to expect and what is expected of them.
What are Social Stories?
A social story is a short story with realistic pictures which is intended to help an ASD individual to better understand and/or navigate his or her world. Social Stories are descriptions of a specific situation, event, or activity that include specific information about what to expect and why. Social Stories include visuals to support understanding and are a tool that can be rereferred to as often as needed.
How Do Social Stories Work?
Social stories present information in a literal, ‘concrete’ manner, which can help people understand a previously difficult or ambiguous situation or activity. For social stories to be effective, they must be highly personalized to each child’s needs and used at the appropriate time for each child.
Making Social Stories
Creating effective social stories can be difficult, but there are many resources that can help parents and educators. Here are some pointers for creating effective social stories:
- Keep it simple: To help children with ASD understand the story, use simple language and clear illustrations.
- Focus on the positive: Emphasize the positive outcomes of appropriate social behavior, rather than the negative consequences of inappropriate behavior.
- Be specific: Provide specific examples of appropriate social behavior.
- Use repetition: To help reinforce the message, repeat key concepts throughout the story.
Benefits of Using Social Stories for Autism
Social skills are an important part of your child’s development, but social stories are especially beneficial to children with autism. Social stories will benefit your autistic child in the following ways:
- Improved understanding and adherence to rules and routines
- Learn about other people’s perspectives.
- Encourage the identification of key cues.
- Encourage greater self-awareness
- Recognize how their actions affect others.
Children with autism may not have perfect social skills, but they can learn and develop them with Social Stories. The beauty of these stories is that they can be tailored to the interests of the child and can be as simple or as imaginative as you like. As a result, they will be able to appreciate your ideas more and have a greater impact on their social behavior.
Reach out to us if you need help in creating effective social stories that can make a real difference in the lives of children with ASD.
Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 31 May 2023
