New Social Story Book: Revised and Expanded 15th Anniversary Edition

A Social StoryTM accurately describes a context, skill, achievement, or concept according to 10 defining criteria. These criteria guide Story research, development, and implementation to ensure an overall patient and supportive quality, and a format, “voice”, content, and learning experience that is descriptive, meaningful, and physically, socially, and emotionally safe for the child, adolescent, or adult with autism. The criteria define what a Social StoryTM is, and the process that researches, writes, and illustrates it.

Social StoriesTM may be described as an effective and meaningful approach to support social understanding, but the ultimate and deeper goal is to empower children and older people by enhancing their understanding of social situations and social encounters in their lives, and thereby supporting their ability to be active participants in life’s routines and activities. The effective use of Social StoriesTM goes even further—it allows practitioners and parents to build trusting relationships through their support. Ultimately, the overarching goal of Social StoriesTM is this: to help people to be self-determined, confident and competent individuals.