What are Social Stories..?

What are Social Stories..?

Social Stories (SS) were first developed and defined by Carol Gray in 1991, after working alongside children with Autism. For over twenty years, Gray has reviewed and modified the guidelines to creating social stories based from personal experience and  feedback given from parents, teacher and children. Social stories are a tool/resource to help teach children social skills. 

Social stories describe a specific situation and teaches the child what the appropriate behaviours or responses would be for the given situation. It is written and delivered in a way that is simple and easy to be understood  and is individualized for the child. SS can be used in a range of settings such as at home, school or in the community. SS help to  teach or maintain social skills, daily living skills, or behaviour management skills for children. Although the goal of Social stories is not to directly change behaviour, by the child's improved understanding of the event or expectations, it may help improve their behaviours and responses (Gray, 2010). 


 

 Social Stories are short, straightforward descriptions of social situations, and provide the child details of what they might expect from a situation, and describes what may be expected of them. Social stories are often a strength based strategy and will often affirm what the child does well, which then helps to strengthen appropriate skills and behaviours. 

Social stories are suitable with children aged between 3 -15 years and can be written to their age and comprehension level. Although social stories were first developed for Children with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome, they have also proven to be effective with a range of children both those with impaired or development differences and those with normal development.


To find out more - click on the Link below :What are Social Stories by Carol Gray

Next I'll discuss how Occupational Therapy and Social Story link.

References

Adams, L., Gouvousis, A., VanLue, M., & Waldron, C. (2004). Social Story Intervention Improving Communication Skills in a Child With an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Focus on Autism and other developmental Disabilities, 19(2), 87-94

Gray, C. (2010). The new social story book. (10th ed.). Arlington, TX: Future Horizons

Reynhout, G., & Carter, M. (2006). Social Stories™ for children with disabilities. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 36(4), 445-469.