Understanding Autism Social Skill Stories: A Practical Guide for Parents and Teachers

Using Autism Social Skill Stories to Work on Social Skills

pages from an autism social story about perspective taking

In the world of educating or parenting a child with autism, helping them navigate the complexities of social interactions and emotions are a constant. One easy but powerful tool in achieving this is the use of social skill stories.

In this blog post, we will explore what social skill stories are, who can benefit from them, the problems they can address, and how you can create these social story narratives, offering you a comprehensive guide to incorporating them effectively into your child's life.

What is an Autism Social Skill Story?

2 children playing with blocks on the floor

Social skill stories are personalized short stories that are designed to help individuals, especially those with social and communication challenges, understand specific social situations, behaviors, or concepts, such as autism. They are similar to "Social Stories" which were developed by Carol Gray in the early 1990s as a tool to support children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but do not follow her guidelines for what should be included in the story and are written in a more conversational tone that invites children to discuss and think about their feelings and actions around the topic. They often include discussion questions at the end to assess understanding.

Who Would Benefit from a Social Story?

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Social skill stories are commonly associated with children on the autism spectrum. They provide a structured way to teach social norms and behaviors that may not come naturally to them.

Children with Other Developmental Challenges

Social skill stories can also be effective for children with various developmental or neurological challenges, such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, or social communication disorders.

Typical Developing Children

Even typically developing children can benefit from social skill stories, especially when facing new or challenging social situations, like starting preschool, handling conflict with siblings, or toilet training.

What Kind of Problems Could Be Addressed with a Social Story?

page from an autism social story about feeling mad

Understanding and Managing Emotions

Social skill stories can help children understand and cope with their emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or sadness, and then provide strategies for self-regulation and social skills.

a social story called "I Can Take Turns"

Social Skills and Interactions

They can be used to teach appropriate social behaviors like sharing, taking turns, or initiating a greeting to a peer.

a page from a social story that talks about some days being different

Transitions and Routine Changes

Social skill stories can ease transitions, such as moving to a new school, welcoming a new sibling, or adapting to changes in daily routines.

a social story that is called "I Can Poop on the Toilet"

Explain a Process

I frequently use social skill stories to explain a process that the child will be beginning such as earning stars on a token board for a reward or what a consequence will be if they engage in a behavior.

Is my Child to Old or Young for a Social Skills Story?

Age-Appropriateness Matters

Social Stories can be adapted for children of various ages and developmental levels. It's crucial to tailor the language and content to suit your child's specific needs and comprehension level. If you are writing the story for your child only you can even include characters or topics the child is particularly interested in, such as Legos, trains, or a favorite TV or video game character.

Many children with autism respond particularly well to actual photographs and if have the time and energy, you can even take photos of your child in the actual setting, however, this is not necessary and most children, old or young, will respond just because it is a situation or feeling they are familiar with at home or school.

Flexibility is Key

Social skill stories are a versatile tool, and their effectiveness can extend well into adolescence and even adulthood. Adapt them as needed to address evolving challenges.

How Do I Write a Social Skill Story?

children fighting in the backseat of a car

Identify the Target Behavior or Situation

Start by pinpointing the specific behavior, social situation, or concept you want to address. Try to avoid addressing more than one behavior or process in a story. Children will respond best if it is very clear what the story is about. For example, a social skills story could target fighting in the car but probably wouldn't want to address other issues in the car such as picking up trash, not slamming the car door, etc.

Describe the Situation

Describe the situation being mindful to think about how your child may view the situation. Include how it makes or may make the child feel as well as how those around him or her may feel.

Write in a Conversational Tone

Remember to keep the language conversational, avoiding overly formal or complex language. Use simple sentences and clear, relatable examples.

child waving hello to teacher in preschool

Conclude with a Solution

Describe a possible solution, again highlighting how this solution might make the child and other people involved feel. End by highlighting how the solution will be beneficial to your child and the positive consequences it may have.

Review and Revise

After writing the Social Story, review it with the child or individual to ensure it resonates with them. Make revisions as needed.

How Do I Introduce a Social Skill Story?

child using a social story during toilet training

Wait for a Good Mood

The story will be most effective if it is introduced when your child is calm and in a good mood, as this enhances their ability to engage with the content.

Be Flexible

Avoid forcing them to sit and listen; instead, make it a flexible and enjoyable experience. Place the book in a location where your child can access it when they're interested, fostering a sense of autonomy.

Mom and daughter looking at a social skill story book together with both pointing to book

Make it Interactive

When you first read the story together, make it an interactive experience. Encourage your child to ask questions and share their thoughts. If your child is pre-verbal watch for signs of engagement such as pointing or smiling and build on these. "Oh, yes! You see the slide. That is like the slide we have in the backyard."

Keep it Positive

Keep the tone positive, focusing on solutions and coping strategies rather than problems. For example, if the story is about not hitting friends, do not stress the hitting but rather discuss other things they could do when they are angry or other ways to get a friend's attention. By taking this approach, you can ensure that social skill stories become a valuable tool for supporting your child's social and emotional development in a way that feels natural and supportive.

a social story to teach children about turn taking called "taking turns"

If you would like a free social skill story about taking turns that features realistic photos click here.

If you are interested in purchasing other social skill stories visit my tpt store where I offer a variety of stories on topics from potty training to taking turns. click here to visit store