This social story identifies things that are out of our control, and things that are in our control. It encourages children to focus on the things that they can control, to exercise their power to make choices and decisions that are right for them.
Sensory Processing Disorder Social Stories
Social stories are individualized short stories that are highly affective for teaching children new skills. They teach children what is expected in social behaviors and different settings such as school, with friends, appointments or shopping.
They are most commonly used for children with autism and other special needs such as difficulties with comprehension, developmental delays or those who struggle with social challenges, they can also be very beneficial to all children when explaining situations and changes.
Social stories explain to children what changes may be happening in the future, how to do something new or could even explain a situation and how they could handle it appropriately.
Social stories can be sometimes called different names such as social narratives, story-based interventions and social scripts too.
Social stories were developed by child pediatrician Dr. Carol Gray in 1990. She would write social stories for the children with Autism that she worked with.
Social stories can teach children different skills. Using social stories everyday with events and situations will help your child so they don't find different situations confusing while also cutting down on your child's anxiety.
Parents can make their own social stories for their children and they can be purchased online. When your child has been reading a social story it's important to remind them about the story the new skills they've learned from the story. When the child is successful, it's very important to reward them with a lot of encouragement and praise.
If you would like to use social stories you can always consult with your child's phycologist or therapists for direction.
A social story should have details about the situation, what usually happens in the situation and what behaviors are expected in that situation. This will help your child with difficult and challenging behaviors , while learning new skills.
Social stories can be downloaded to their iPad, printed for them for at home or while they are out, they can be purchased, parents or therapists can make them too. They can be created in past, present or future tense. They can be custom made for certain situations made just for your child. Most social stories use illustrations because it's easier for some children to learn visually using step by step photos.
Example Social Story:
Social Stories
The New Social Story Book, Revised and Expanded 15th Anniversary Edition: Over 150 Social Stories that Teach Everyday Social Skills to Children and Adults with Autism and their Peers
Since the early ‘90s, Carol Gray’s world-famous Social Stories have helped thousands of children with autism spectrum disorders. This 15th Anniversary Edition of her best-selling book offers ready-to-use stories that parents and educators have depended on for years―with new sections added! Additions include how to most effectively use and apply the stories, how to improve the lives of younger children, and Social Stories for teens and adults with autism. Developed through years of experience, these strategically written stories explain social situations in ways children and adults with autism understand while teaching social skills needed to be successful at home, school, work, and in the community.
My Social Stories Book
Over the last decade, Carol Gray's Social Stories approach has become established as a highly effective way of teaching social and life skills to children on the autism spectrum. Taking the form of short narratives, the Stories in My Social Stories Book take children step by step through basic activities such as brushing your teeth, taking a bath and getting used to new clothes. It also helps children to understand different experiences such as going to school, shopping and visiting the doctor. These stories are written for preschoolers aged from two to six, and the book is a useful primer for all young children - but most especially those on the autism spectrum.
My Social Stories Book contains over 150 Stories, and is illustrated throughout with line drawings by Sean McAndrew, which form a visual counterpart to the text. A helpful introduction explains to parents and carers how to get the most out of the book.
All books are delivered as downloadable PDF’s
Social Stories E-Book Store
Each book is available as a downloadable PDF for $7.00 each.
When I Feel Anxious
This social story talks about triggers for anxiety. It lists signs and symptoms of anxiety. It covers a selection of coping strategies that children can choose from when they are feeling anxious. It reassures children that it is okay to feel anxious, and that they are loved, strong, and capable.
Things That I Can Control
I Can Practice Mindfulness
This social story guides children through the basic steps of practicing mindfulness. It explains the benefits of practicing mindfulness and suggests that mindfulness can be practiced anywhere.
I Am Confident
This social story teaches children about positive affirmations. It provides examples of positive things that children to say to themselves to build their self-confidence.
What Hands Are For
This social story discourages children from using their hands to hurt others or to be destructive. It highlights the many ways that our hands can be useful when used safely and appropriately.
Recess Time At School
This social story describes what to do before, during, and after recess. It covers dressing appropriately, finding friends to play with, being safe, following the rules, and having fun.
Lunch Time At School
This social story describes what to do before, during, and after lunch. It covers safety, healthy eating, clean-up, and transitions.
It’s Okay To Make Mistakes
This social story normalizes mistakes. It reveals that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes help us to learn and grow.
Having A Conversation
This social story covers basic conversation skills including looking, listening, and responding. It emphasizes the social nature of schools and prepares children to participate in conversations with friends and teachers.
Handling Change
This social story talks about expected and unexpected changes. It explains to children that it is okay to feel uncomfortable during change. It assures children that they can adjust when changes occur, and that some changes can make things better, even when they are unplanned.
Being Happy Feels Good
This social story talks about the daily habits that can help kids to feel happy and healthy.
Walking In A Line At School
This social story covers how to line up and travel around the school safely and appropriately.
When I Hear Loud Noises
This social story provides examples of things that can be loud. It provides children with some strategies to try when they feel like things are too loud for them.
Trying New Things
This social story assures children that it is normal to feel unsure and nervous about trying new things. It suggests starting small and working up to larger new ventures. It explains that trying new things is a part of learning and discovering what you like.
Taking Turns On The Playground
This social story demonstrates to children how to take turns on the swing, on the slide, and during a soccer game outside on the playground.
Taking Responsibility
This social story teaches children that it is important to be honest and to take responsibility for their mistakes. This story goes through the steps required to responsibly address a problem and make it right.
Participating At School
This social story demonstrates that a lot of the activities at school are group activities. Many things are done as a whole class. It is important to participate at school in order to try, learn, make friends, follow the schedule and routines, and contribute to the group.
Learning To Be Independent At School
This social story helps children to understand what being independent looks like at school. It specifically addresses how to come into the classroom independently and stay on task throughout the day. It reminds children that they can ask for help at school, and that they can practice and get more independent over time.
Learning To Be Friendly To Others
This social story is a bit longer and targets children who an unaware of how their negative actions impact their ability to make friends. This story explicitly helps these children to identify mean and friendly behaviours so that they might be able to reflect on their own behaviour and better understand why others might not want to be around them. It provides suggestions for alternative behaviours that are more positive and that draw others in. It encourages children who feel socially isolated due to negative behaviours that they can make changes and that they do still have a chance to make friends at school.
All Kids Belong
This social story celebrates the diversity of kids that go to school. It teaches kids to look at themselves and other kids as capable and valuable members of the school community. It describes many ways that schools can foster an inclusive environment and make adaptations so that all kids can participate fully.
Arriving On Time For School
This social story teaches children the importance of arriving early or on time for school. It explains how it can be problematic to arrive late to school. It provides some strategies that may be helpful during night and morning routines at home. It assures children that everyone runs late sometimes, but it is important to learn how to be punctual and to strive to be on time as often as possible.
Families Are Different
This social story gives examples of different family compositions so that children learn that all families are different. The concepts covered in this social story give parents an opportunity to engage in deeper conversation with their child about topics such as cultural diversity, adoption, same-sex relationships, and divorce.
Going On A Playdate
This social story teaches children how to participate appropriately while on a playdate at a friend’s home.
My Family Is Moving
This social story supports children who are about to move to a new place. It talks about what will be difficult about moving. It suggests ideas that may be helpful, including staying in touch with friends. It assures children that, with time, they will get used to the changes and meet new friends.
Screen Safety
This social story talks about the importance of limiting screen time. It explains what can happen if screen time is not managed. It goes over other safety guidelines for kids to follow so that they are able to use technology safely and responsibly.
Washing My Hands At School
This social story provides children with detailed instructions on how to wash their hands at school. It lists many times when hand washing is needed during the school day. It emphasizes that hand washing fights germs and helps to keep people healthy.
When A New Baby Arrives
This social story is for children that are about to become an older sister or brother. It helps children to know what to expect when the new baby arrives at home. It assures them that their parents will always love them. It highlights the important role that older siblings have, for example helping their younger sibling, teaching them new things, and playing with them.
When A Pet Dies
This social story helps children to understand that all living things die at different times, for different reasons. It talks about the process of grieving the loss of a pet and the importance of having someone to talk to and to provide emotional support. It suggests that with time, recovering from the loss of a pet gets easier, although the pet that died is always remembered.
When It’s My Birthday!
This social story helps children to know what to expect on their birthday and how to be a gracious host.
Being Considerate of Others
This social story helps children transition from home (where they usually get more adult attention), to school (where there is many children in the class and often only one teacher). It helps children realize that they are part of a group. They will need to be patient, they will need to wait their turn, and they will need to cooperate, share, and compromise with others.
Going On A Field Trip
This social story demonstrates safe and appropriate behaviour while going on a field trip.
I’m Going To A Birthday Party!
This social story helps children to know what to expect when they are invited to a birthday party, and how to play their role as a guest at the party.
I Am Special
This social story invites children to feel confident in who they are and what makes them unique and special. It highlights the beauty of diversity and offers suggestions as to how we can all learn from and enjoy each other.
I Can Be A Good Friend
This social story describes things that friends appreciate, as well as things that friends do not like. It encourages children to practice friendly behaviours to maintain positive relationships with others. It points out that school is fun when you have friends that you look forward to interacting with each day.
I Can Show Self-Control At School
This social story talks about the importance of being calm and in control at school in order to be able to make good choices, follow the rules, and be safe. It provides some simple strategies to help children to calm down if they find themselves too excited or out of control.
I Love My Family!
This social story gives examples of some of the things that families do together.
Listening To Others At School
This social story clearly outlines the expectation that all children need to listen to the teacher and the other children at school. It invites children to think about how it feels when someone does not listen. It demonstrates that sometimes children need reminders to listen to others, and that is okay. Taking a break to reflect and make positive changes is a part of learning and developing.
Making New Friends
This social story explains to children that friends are important for everyone, and that everyone has the potential to make friends. It recommends a number of different ways that children can reach out to others in a friendly manner so that positive interactions occur and friendships form as a result of these interactions.
My Glasses
This social story aims to help children who wear glasses to feel more confident wearing their glasses at school.
Quiet Time At School
This social story helps children understand the purpose of Quiet Time at school. It describes how to participate in Quiet Time appropriately for the benefit of self and others.
Sitting At The Carpet
This social story talks about the kinds of activities that typically happen at the carpet in classrooms. It teaches children what the expectations are at the carpet, and how they can be a cooperative member of the group.
When I Want To Take A Break
This social story demonstrates how to ask for a break appropriately at school. It explains that a break comes after getting the assigned task done, or after a pre-determined time has passed.
Being Kind To Others
This social story gives children many examples of how to be kind to others.
Dressing For The Weather
This social story teaches children about the seasons, as they are in Canada. It recommends different clothing items for each of the different seasons.
Having A Bad Day
This social story helps children to identify when they might be having a bad day and provides suggestions of what to do when this happens. It helps children to keep things in perspective so that bad days are normalized and children know that just because they are feeling bad today, this does not mean that they will necessarily feel bad tomorrow.
Learning About Personal Space
This social story teaches children what personal space is and what it looks like. It talks about respecting the personal space of others and asking for consent when wanting to be closer to someone else at school. It provides a framework if a child needs to ask for more personal space from someone else.
Sensory Processing Disorder is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and also have sponsored posts throughout our website. This is no extra cost to you. Click here for more information.
