Social stories are a powerful tool used to support, teach, and guide autistic teens through various social situations.
They are short, simple narratives, usually including corresponding images and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) sentences, that describe a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses.
Here is an example of what a social story can look like:
Why should we use social stories with teens?
Some believe that social stories will only be of benefit to younger students and that older students have grown out of them.
In my experience, not only do social stories still work for older students with Autism or other developmental disabilities, they can provide so many benefits, especially as these young adults are transitioning out of school and into community jobs and social situations.
8 Ways that Social Stories Benefit Teens with Autism
Navigating social situations can be a challenge for all young adults, but particularly for those who are autistic.
Social stories can help autistic teens better understand social situations by breaking them down into manageable parts. They provide a clear and concise explanation of what to expect, which can reduce anxiety and confusion.
For example, a social story about attending a birthday party can detail what to expect. From how to enter the social situation, introduce themselves, socialize using conversation skills, sing “Happy Birthday”, then exit the social situation when the party is nearing the end.
Detailing each of these steps will prepare the teen for the event, thereby reducing unexpected social scenarios and anxiety around the sequence of events and situations the teen will face.
By providing a step-by-step guide to various situations, social stories can foster independence in autistic teens. They serve as a roadmap, allowing teens to navigate social situations and expectations on their own.
For Example:
Reading a social story about using public transportation can empower an autistic teen to travel independently. A social story for using public transportation can provide the teen with detailed step by step instructions on how to use public transit from mapping out their route, purchasing a ticket, and entering the bus to greeting the driver and exiting at the right stop.
It can prepare them for what they may experience on the bus including other riders who may speak with them to potential triggers like children crying or other riders making noise.
In this situation, a social story can provide your teen with potential situations that they may not expect like what happens if the bus breaks down or if they miss their stop.
Going through these different steps and scenarios using a social story, and helping a teen to navigate them, is a huge benefit as we work to promote independence in our teens with autism and developmental disabilities.
Social stories can help autistic teens develop and improve their social skills. They provide examples of appropriate behaviors and responses in different situations.
For Example:
A social story about a group project at school can illustrate the importance of teamwork and cooperation. It can also provide a script for students to use to navigate social situations like what to do if another group member isn’t doing their share of the work or how to share their ideas with the group in a socially appropriate way.
Social stories can serve as a bridge to better communication. They can help autistic teens understand both verbal and non-verbal cues, enhancing their ability to express themselves and understand others.
For Example:
A social story about going out to dinner with friends or family can explain the importance of listening when others are speaking, how to talk about topics that are non preferred, and the appropriate times to join in the conversation.
Social stories provide a safe, non-threatening way for autistic teens to learn about complex social norms and expectations that can be a real challenge for them.
They can read and re-read these stories at their own pace, allowing them to absorb the information in a stress-free manner. This information can also be tailored for specific situations and events that the teen struggles with or will encounter.
For Example:
A social story about dealing with conflict can provide strategies for expressing feelings and resolving issues, without the immediate pressure of a real-life situation.
It can allow a teen to practice a situation before it happens, and can set the stage for role play with a caregiver before going into a situation so that they have strategies on what to do when certain situations arise.
Uncertainty can trigger anxiety in autistic teens. Social stories provide predictability, helping to alleviate anxiety by outlining what can or will happen in a given situation.
For Example:
A social story about a doctor’s visit can help reduce anxiety by explaining the process in advance. It can also support the social aspect of this situation by providing a script for asking questions or what to say when they feel uncomfortable.
This can also lead to reduced behaviours that can be triggered in these potentially anxiety provoking situations.
Social stories can help autistic teens understand others’ perspectives, fostering empathy and improving interpersonal relationships.
Empathy, or understanding emotions and situations from another’s perspective, can be a real challenge for autistic teens. Reading about a situation in advance, and seeing it from an outside perspective in writing can help explain in very literal and explicit terms how another may feel.
This can help teens to understand why another person may react a certain way in a given situation.
Social stories can play a significant role in helping autistic teens regulate their emotions.
These narratives provide a structured guide to understanding and managing feelings, which can often be overwhelming or confusing for those on the autism spectrum. Social stories can help autistic teens identify and name their emotions.
By using simple, clear language and relatable scenarios, these stories can provide a vocabulary for feelings that teens might otherwise struggle to express. They can demonstrate healthy coping strategies by showing characters experiencing a range of emotions and then model appropriate responses to these feelings.
By repeatedly exposing teens to these narratives, social stories can help normalize the experience of strong emotions. They can reassure autistic teens that everyone experiences feelings like fear, anger, and sadness, and that it’s okay to talk about these emotions and seek support when needed.
For Example:
A social story might describe a character feeling their body get tense and hot when they are beginning to feel angry, helping the teen connect these physical sensations to the emotion of anger.
It might then show a character taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or seeking out a trusted adult when they’re feeling angry or upset.
In this way, social stories can provide a valuable tool for autistic teens to understand and regulate their emotions, contributing to their overall emotional well-being.
In Short…
Social stories are a valuable tool in supporting the social and emotional development of autistic teens.
By breaking down complex social situations into understandable parts, they can enhance understanding, promote independence, improve social skills, facilitate communication, and provide a safe learning environment.
As each autistic teen is unique, social stories can be tailored to meet their individual needs, making them a versatile and effective resource.
There are many valuable resources available if you are looking for social stories that might work for your teen. Here are a few you can find in my TPT shop to get you started!
Check out my TPT store for a few that you can use to get started with this powerful tool!
I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email and tell me how you are using Social Stories with your teen. I am also open to any suggestions for future blog topics or requests for products.
XO Alana from Exceptional Education CA