What are Social Stories?
Social stories are short, personalized narratives that help children—especially those with autism or intellectual disabilities— understand specific social situations, behaviors, or expectations . They are a powerful visual and language-based teaching tool that supports learning through clear, simple, and structured information. Definition: A social story is a short story that explains: What is happening Who is involved What the child is expected to do Why it is important And sometimes, how the child might feel They are written in the first person ("I go to the doctor") and often include pictures to support understanding. Purpose in ECSE-ID (Early Childhood Special Education – Intellectual Disability): Teach daily routines (e.g., “I wash my hands before eating”) Prepare for new experiences (e.g., “Going to a new school”) Support social skills (e.g., “Taking turns in games”) Help manage behavior and emotions (e.g., “What to do when I ...