Using social stories to prepare for new experiences

Social stories reduce uncertainty

Many autistic kids struggle most when they don’t know what will happen next. A social story is a short, supportive script that explains a situation, the expected steps, and what the child can do if it feels hard.

What a good social story includes

• Where/when: “When we go to the dentist…”
• What will happen: 3–6 simple steps with pictures if needed.
• How it might feel: normalize worry or sensory discomfort.
• What I can do: coping plan, break request, safe words.
• Positive ending: “After, we are all done.”

Keep the language calm and non-judgmental

Avoid threats or heavy "should" language. Social stories work best when they feel like support, not a lecture. Use first-person language (“I can…”), and make it short enough that your child will tolerate reading it.

Practice before the event

Read the story when your child is calm—several times if possible. Pair it with a brief practice (role-play, walking through the steps, or looking at pictures of the place). Reinforce participation.

Update based on real life

If something surprised your child, add that detail to the story next time. The best social stories reflect your child’s real experiences and give them a concrete coping plan.