Taken from The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray

What is a Social Story? A Social Story is a short story using specific characteristics that describes a situation, concept, or social skill using a format that is meaningful for people with ASD. Who can write a Social Story? Parents, teachers, neighbors, speech therapists, doctors, grandmas, occupational and physical therapists, uncles, psychologists, nephews, social workers, friends, dentists, aunts, grandpas, and siblings: people who work or live with people with ASD. What are some Social Story topics? Topics for Social Stories can be anything that requires a response to a troubling situation e.g. riding in a car, playing with other children, classroom routines, or expressing emotions. Basic Story Sentences and Ratio Four basic sentences: Descriptive, Perspective, Affirmative, and Directive. Descriptive: truthful, assumption-free statements of fact (most frequently used and only required sentence). 1) My name is __________ (often the first sentence in a Social Story) 2) Sometimes, my grandmother reads to me. 3) Many children play on the playground during outdoor recess. Perspective (the heart): statements that refer to, or describe, a persons internal state, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or health. 1) My teacher or substitute knows about math (knowledge, thoughts) 2) My sister usually likes to play the piano (feelings) 3) Some children believe in the Easter Bunny (belief) 4) Many children like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch (opinion) 5) Sometimes, people feel sick when they eat too much (health) Directive: identify a suggested response or choice of responses to a situation or concept, gently directing the behavior of the person with ASD. Be careful of literal translation e.g. I will or I can. Use I will try and One thing I may try to say (do) is 1) I will try to sit in my chair 2) I may ask Mom or Dad for a hug 3) on the playground, I may decide to play on the swings, on the monkey bars, or maybe with something else Affirmative: stress an important point or reassures a person with ASD. Usually affirmative sentences follow a descriptive, perspective, or directive sentences. 1) and that is a good idea. 2) and this is very important to Mommy 3) and this is a very safe thing to do 4) and this is okay (reassure)

Taken from The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray

Guidelines Step 1. Picture the goal

Step 2. Gather information

Step 3. Tailor the text a. First person b. Answers wh questions c. Introduction, body, and conclusion d. Written in positive language e. Literally accurate f. May have to use alternative language (different = another, change = replace, new = better). g. Easy to use texts, not abstract h. Use illustrations i. Be motivating Step 4. Teach with the Title