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Social stories
- 1-5 Years
- 5-11 Years
- 11-19 Years
- Speech, language and communication
Social stories are a tool that helps children and young people to understand specific situations, skills or concepts. They use pictures and words appropriate to their language level. They give specific information from the child’s perspective.
Parents and carers can use this information at home to support their child. Education staff can also use this information with children in their school or setting.
Please try these ideas and advice before making a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service.
Explore the topics on this page:
Understanding social stories
Social stories can help children and young people:
- know what to expect
- understand what to do
- understand how to behave in an unknown situation
- feel less anxious about new places, situations, tasks or concepts
Social stories improve social understanding, build trusting relationships and develop self-esteem and independence skills.
Social stories do not need to be perfect or neat. You can make them by writing on paper or a whiteboard using drawings or photographs for the images. You can also make them using Word or PowerPoint.
A social story should:
- be non-judgemental
- use words and language that your child or young person uses
- describe and focus on 1 main place, situation, task or concept
- use flexible language such as sometimes, usually or might
If appropriate, you can offer a suggestion or coaching statement. This can give your child or young person an idea of what to do or say.
How to create a social story
- Identify the situation for the social story. What situations does the child struggle in?
- Use descriptive and directive or coaching sentences. An example of a descriptive sentence is “I get the bus to school”. An example of a directive or coaching sentence is “I can listen to music on my headphones when I feel upset on the bus”.
- Prepare the story and include the child where possible.
- Add pictures above the sentences. These can be drawings, widget-style pictures or photos.
- Create and share copies of the story.
- Introduce and read the story.
- Revisit the story multiple times. You can also discuss personal experiences and make connections to real-world situations. This makes the story more relevant.
Last reviewed: 25 November, 2025
