Social Stories
Social Stories, developed by Carol Gray, are a widely used intervention strategy for children with ASD. Social Stories are short narratives that provide the child with information about various social situations, events, or expectations. They aim to help the child understand and navigate social interactions, develop appropriate behaviours, and reduce anxiety or confusion in unfamiliar situations.
The key components of a Social Story include:
- Descriptive sentences: Social Stories begin with descriptive sentences that provide objective information about a specific situation, event, or social skill. These sentences explain what is happening, who is involved, and where the situation takes place.
- Perspective statements: Perspective statements helps enhance the child’s understanding of the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others in different social situations. These stories can also help enhance the child’s cognitive empathy and help them recognise the impact of their actions on others.
- Directive sentences provide clear instructions or suggestions on appropriate behaviours or responses in the described situation. These sentences guide the child with ASD on how they might act, what they might say or do in order to navigate the social situation successfully.
- Positive and supportive tone: Social Stories are typically written in a positive and supportive tone to encourage the participation of the child, and promote their understanding and acceptance of social expectations.
Social Stories can cover a wide range of topics, such as going to school, engaging in play, dealing with emotions, or participating in social events. They are often personalised to the individual’s specific needs, preferences, and challenges. Social Stories can be presented in various formats, including written stories, visual supports, or digital media.
The research findings concerning the efficacy of Social Stories as an intervention for children with ASD are mixed1. While many anecdotal reports and clinical observations suggest that Social Stories can be beneficial, the empirical evidence is not as robust. Some studies have shown positive outcomes, indicating that Social Stories can improve the understanding of social situations, develop appropriate behaviours, and reduce anxiety in those with ASD2.
While Social Stories may not be suitable for all children on the autism spectrum, they can still be a valuable tool in many cases. They provide a structured and visual approach to help the child understand and navigate social situations.
Social Stories can be a helpful component of a comprehensive intervention plan for children with ASD. A personalised approach that combines various strategies, such as social skills training, behavioural interventions, and individualised supports, may yield the best outcomes for those with ASD. As with any intervention for autism, it is recommended that the professional working with the child has appropriate qualifications and relevant experience in the area of ASD.
Helpful Tip: Since many Social Stories books are published outside of Ireland, intervention facilitators may consider making slight adaptations to the material to ensure that any idioms, colloquialisms, or forms of social etiquette mentioned in the stories are appropriate to an Irish context.
References
- Camilleri, L.J., Maras, K. & Brosnan, M. (2022). Autism spectrum disorder and social story research: A scoping study of published, peer-reviewed literature reviews. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 21–38. doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00235-6
- Karkhaneh, M., Clark, B., Ospina, M. B., Seida, J. C., Smith, V., & Hartling, L. (2010). Social StoriesTM to improve social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Autism, 14(6), 641–662. doi.org/10.1177/1362361310373057
