Social Stories

Begin by explaining what social stories are. Share examples of social stories (e.g., a child learns how to ask for help or handle frustration). Highlight how these stories can teach people how to act in different social situations and express their feelings.

School Social Story Template

Ask students to think of a social situation they want to create a story about. As a class, brainstorm possible examples, such as:

• Asking to join a game
• Sharing toys with friends?
• Asking for help from a teacher
• Taking turns on the playground

Then, have students start authoring their stories. Encourage students to include details about how a person might feel and what they should do in that situation.

To get started, assign a blank canvas or use one of the many story starter templates, many with talkies to help support student work.

Story Starter Templates

Students will use the drawing tools or photos to create illustrations for their social story. You can encourage them to:

• Draw characters to show the social situation.
• Use stickers, talkies or images to personalize their story.

Students can record their voice to narrate their story. This will allow them to practice reading aloud and provide a richer experience for younger students or those who benefit from auditory learning.

Pair students up and have them share their stories with a peer, encouraging feedback and discussion about the social situations.

Allow students to share their completed social stories with the class. After sharing, have a group discussion about how the stories can help them navigate real-life situations. Ask questions like:

• How can we use these stories in real life?
• How do social stories help us understand other people's feelings?