Definition
Social Stories are short, individualised, written narratives developed by Carol Gray (1990) that describe a social situation, the perspectives of others, and the expected behaviour. They are most commonly used to prepare autistic children for new or anxiety-provoking events and are formally known as Social Stories™ when written to Carol Gray's specific structure.
In context for parents
Key checkpoints
- Short, individualised written narratives developed by Carol Gray (1990).
- Describe a social situation, perspectives of others, and expected behaviour.
- Formally known as Social Stories™ when written to Carol Gray's specific structure (descriptive, perspective, directive, affirmative sentences).
- Crucial ratio: every directive sentence should be matched by 2–5 non-directive sentences.
- Most useful for preparing autistic children for new or anxiety-provoking events.
Carol Gray's structure is specific. A social story has a title, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. It uses four main sentence types: descriptive (factual), perspective (others' thoughts and feelings), directive (what the child can do), and affirmative (validating the child's reaction). The ratio is critical: every directive sentence should be matched by at least two to five non-directive sentences. Too many directives, and the story becomes a list of demands; too few, and it becomes a description without an action.
A good social story is individualised. It uses the child's name, the actual setting, and language at the child's level. It is read with the child several times before the event it is preparing for. It includes the child's expected feelings as well as the expected behaviour. Example title: "What happens at the dentist next Tuesday".
What schools commonly get wrong:
- Using a generic downloaded social story without adapting it to the child.
- Reading the story to the child the first time on the day of the event.
- Using social stories to demand behaviour change for the school's convenience rather than to support the child's understanding.
- Producing a social story instead of addressing an environmental problem that should be removed.
For PDA-profile children, social stories often work better when they are framed as "comic strip conversations" (also Carol Gray) rather than as direct instructions. The demand register triggers refusal even when the content is helpful.
Social stories are best understood as one tool among several. They sit alongside visual schedules, environmental adjustments, sensory regulation, and direct teaching of social skills. In an EHCP, Section F should specify who writes the stories (often a SaLT or specialist teacher), how they are reviewed, and how often.
Related terms
The terms parents most often see alongside Social Stories.
Comic Strip Conversations
A Carol Gray method using stick-figure drawings, colour, and speech bubbles to slow down and unpick a social interaction with an autistic child.
Autism(ASC)
A lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that shapes how a person communicates, processes sensory information, and experiences the social world. Autism is a difference, not an illness.
Theory of Mind
The cognitive ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, intentions) to oneself and others. Differences in theory of mind are commonly discussed in relation to autism.
Where parents ask about this
Parents usually find this page after a school has produced a generic "social story" that did not work, or when wanting individualised stories written into Section F. Searches include "Carol Gray social story template", "social story before dentist autism", and "social story versus comic strip conversation". A Beaakon SaLT or specialist teacher can write tailored social stories for specific situations, train your child's school staff to deliver them, and specify the approach in Section F.
References
The primary legislation, statutory guidance, research, and clinical tools this page draws on.