Socials stories are a tool that can assist any child with managing a situation, task or event. Social stories are a simple, visual way to guiding the child with what to do in a fun and supportive way.

Focus on one specific thing you are trying to change

Try to focus on one particular area that you are wanting to focus on changing, instead of including many different issues all in one social story.

Incorporate the positive in the story

Social stories are meant to be positive, motivating and include what your child is doing well. Focusing purely on the negatives may only deter your child from changing their current behavioural patterns.

Investigate what is causing the behaviour

Try to determine what is the exact cause of the issue. Break down elements of the situation, task or event to find out what is essential to include in your social story. Ask yourself the following questions when playing detective:

• What is going well at home or at school?
• What are my child’s strengths?
• What might be interfering with my child’s ability to participate in play, eating, dressing, learning, ect?
• Is it sensory or is it behavioural, or both? (A sensory preference can turn into a behavioural response to input or vice versa)
• What is the behaviour communicating?
• What sensory input is my child seeking or avoiding?
• Does the behaviour need to change?
• What is a more appropriate replacement/substitution that still meets his/her need?

Keep it simple

When writing your social story aim for only one to two sentences per page and include relevant visuals to support the written content of the story. For younger children write in first person, and for older children write in third person.

There are three types of sentences in social stories:

• Descriptive sentences: provide an overview of a situation event or task, and answer “w” questions your child may have – Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?
• Perspective sentences: describes what is happening for all involved, including their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
• Directive sentences: highlight what the desired and expected behaviour is in a positive way

If you have trialled lots of other strategies with your child you may want to give writing a social story a go. Remember to always review your social story before implementing it with your child.

At DSKC, we use social stories daily and tailor make them for our clients. Feel free to give us a call if you would like to find out more.

Written by Alannah Santomartino (Occupational Therapist) for De Silva Kids Clinic.