A social story is a term used to refer to a specific type of intervention or tool that helps individuals with social communication difficulties, particularly autistic individuals, to understand and navigate social situations.
Social stories are typically short narratives that describe a social situation or concept in a clear and concise manner. They are written from the perspective of the individual and provide information about the relevant social cues and expectations for that situation. The stories are often accompanied by simple illustrations or pictures to enhance understanding.
The purpose of a social story is to help individuals better comprehend social situations, develop understanding of neurotypical social norms, and reduce anxiety or confusion that may arise from unfamiliar or challenging scenarios. Social stories are commonly used to prepare individuals for upcoming events, such as going to the doctor, starting a new school year, or attending a birthday party.
Many of our clients at Raise the Bar benefit from knowing ahead of time what to expect from an upcoming new situation. We have therefore created our own social story about visiting our clinic for an assessment that parents and caregivers can use with their children.
We hope you find it helpful!
You can download and PDF of our social story here
