Social Stories

Social participation is one of the prime occupations for all individuals. Some children need additional support and direct instruction on navigating social interactions. Social Stories are a great way to walk a child through new and/ or difficult social situations. These stories are used to provide children with more information on what to expect during these interactions, and usually suggest socially acceptable ways in which they can respond to these situations. Most social stories are in first person or in third person (using your child’s name, age, or personalized details). They allow children, who are often visual learners, to imagine themselves in these scenarios with images and words that are developmentally appropriate for their age. As Occupational Therapists, we recognize the different aspects of these social situations that may be difficult for children, such as increased sensory stimulation, or abrupt changes in their routines, and can help provide you with templates to create personalized stories for your child.