Social Stories
PRESENTED BY ANGIE
BLANTON, LINDSEY MYERS
AND MICHELLE FLINDERS
By the end of the session, we would like you to know…
 …what a social story is.
 …how social stories can be used with your child.
 …how you can write a social story.
 …what to do with a social story once you have
finished using it.
What is a Social Story?
 A social story describes a social situation or skill.
 A social story is written in a positive perspective.
 A social story is written in the first person, for
example “I will….”
 A social story is meaningful to the person using the
story.
Attending a Social Story Workshop
Today there is a social story workshop. There will be
speakers. The speakers know about social stories.
The speakers are entertaining as well. I may want to
hear their presentation.
There will be other people at the workshop. At a
workshop, people sit quietly and listen to the
speaker. That way, it is easier for people to hear
what is being said.
Steps To
Writing a
Social Story
Social Story Goal
TO SHARE INFORMATION THAT IS
DESCRIPTIVE, MEANINGFUL,
PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY AND
EMOTIONALLY SAFE FOR THE
AUDIENCE.
EVERY STORY HAS AN OVERALL
PATIENT AND REASSURING QUALITY.
Two Step Discovery
Keeping the goal in mind, the author gathers
relevant information to…
1) improve their understanding of the child in
relation to the situation and
2) identify the specific topic and type of
information to share in the story.
Three-Parts and a Title
 Title
 Introduction that clearly identifies the topic
 A body that adds detail
 A conclusion that reinforces and summarizes the
information
Four-mat
 Presented in a format that clarifies content and
enhances the meaning.
Example:
Places to Sit and Eat at McDonalds.
Sometimes my family eats at McDonalds.
We may sit at a table that looks like this (picture of table).
We may eat at a table that looks like this (picture of booth).
Or, we may eat at another kind of table. This is okay.
Five Factors Define Voice and Vocabulary
A Social Story has a patient and supportive voice and
vocabulary that is defined by five factors.
 Only use first and/or third person perspective
 Positive and patient tone
 Past, present, or future tense
 Literally accurate
 Accurate meaning
Example of First Person
I learned how to button.
I learned how to zip.
I am learning how to tie my shoes.
Someday, I will be able to tie my
shoes.
Six Questions
WHO?
WHAT?
WHEN?
WHEN?
WHERE?
HOW?
When Do People Go to Bed?
Usually, children need to sleep longer than moms and
dads. That is why I may go to bed before my mom or
dad. My bedtime is at about 8:00.
My mom usually goes to bed at about 10:00. My dad
usually goes to bed at about 11:00.
It is okay for me to sleep when mom and dad are
awake. They will go to bed soon. They have a
bedtime soon.
Seven Sentence Types
Types of sentences:
 Descriptive- There are many vacation days during the
year.
 Perspective- Many people think that surprises are fun.
 Coaching- I can use a paper change to help me keep track
of the number of days until my birthday.
 Affirmative- To stay safe, children take turns going down
the slide. This is very important.
 Partial- Wrapping hides a gift in order to keep it ____.
A Gr-Eight Formula
This formula ensures
that the story describes
the situation more than
it directs.
Nine makes in mine.
A SOCIAL STORY IS TAILORED TO THE
CHILD’S:
•I N D I V I D U A L A B I L I T I E S
•A T T E N T I O N S P A N
•L E A R N I N G S T Y L E
•W H E N E V E R P O S S I B L E , T H E I R
INTERESTS
Write a Social Story Title
#1
 Learning About
Directions at School
#2
 I Should Follow
Directions
Write a Social Story
#1
#2
 There are times when
 Sometimes teachers, or
you should listen to
adults and follow their
directions.
other school staff, tell
students what to do.
They give students
directions.
Write a Social Story
#1
 Directions help students
work, learn, and play
together. Directions help
to keep students safe too!
#2
 A student may want to do
something else. That
student may not follow
the directions. Instead,
that student will do what
he or she wants to do. I
do that a lot.
Write a Social Story
#1
 There are two parts to a
direction. The first is
giving the direction.
Teachers often do that.
The second is following
the direction. That’s the
students’ job.
#2
 I am going to listen to my
teacher. I will follow her
directions. I will do what
school staff tell me to do,
too. It’s my job.
Review and Discuss Social Stories
Refer to handouts.
Some People Try New Foods
When I am eating, I may see food that I have not tried
before. I will not know what it tastes like unless I try
some.
Sometimes people ask me to try a new food. That’s
because they think I may like it.
I may like to try new foods. Sometimes if I like it, I can
have more.
If I do not like it, it’s okay to say, “No, thank you.”
Trying new food is a good way to discover which foods
I like to eat.
Getting Ready in the Morning
I am learning to get ready for school.
I am learning to comb my hair and brush my teeth in the morning.
Sometimes I may take a shower in the morning. That way I smell
good and
look good.
After I wash myself, I will try to put on my clothes. Usually I
change my
clothes every day.
Sometimes my parents or guardians will tell me which clothes I
should wear.
Then it is usually time to go to school.
Work Time…..