Social Stories™ were conceptualized in 1990 by Carol Gray, initially to help people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder with basic communication skills to better understand aspects of interpersonal communication in order to master appropriate and effective interaction.

Overtime Social Stories™ have been revised both in terms of their definition, the way they are written (the Social Story™ Criteria) and in terms of their recipients, their Audience.

What is certain is that Social Stories™ are considered a kind of social storytelling.

However… What makes a story… Social Story™?

Not just the mere reference to social issues!

The one and only Social Story™ Definition informs us that:

“A Social Story™ 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.”

In 2021 the latest revision of the Social Story™ Criteria gave us Social Stories™ 10.3, which “are a social learning tool that supports the safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals, and people with autism of all ages”.

The goal of a Social Story™ is to reveal accurate social information in a clear and reassuring way that is easily understood by its recipient.

The Social Story™ Author works on behalf of an Audience, i.e. a child, adolescent or adult with autism and follows a defined process, which begins with the collection of information, the discovery of a theme that “fits” the Audience and ends with the development of the personalized text and illustrations.

As Carol Gray herself mentions:

“The Social Story™ Definition and ten defining characteristics (The Social Story™ Criteria) guide the development of every Story and result a patient, respectful, and unassuming quality that is the hallmark of the approach. It is that quality that distinguishes genuine Social Stories™ from social scripts, skill checklists, or ‘social stories’ that do not meet the current the definition.”

Lastly, there are the so-called Social Articles, shorter and simpler stories, aimed at more familiar audiences or older people.

References

Denning, Christopher (2017). Developing Motor and Social Skills: Activities for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. σελ. 42. ISBN 978-1-4758-1764-5.
Grey, C., Timmins, S., & Faherty, C. (2021, October 5). Social Stories 10.3 Criteria. Carol Gray – Social Stories. Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Social-Stories-10.3-Criteria.pdf
Hannah, Liz (2001). Teaching Young Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders to Learn: A Practical Guide for Parents and Staff in General Education Classrooms and Preschools. London: AAPC Publishing. p. 83. ISBN 1931282099.
Social Stories Overview. Carol Gray – Social Stories. (2015, November 2). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/
Taylor, Lori Ashley (April 3,2018). Dragonfly: A Daughter’s Emergence from Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents. Simon and Schuster. p. 98. ISBN 9781510732186.
Tobik, Amy (September 8, 2017). “Social Stories for Autistic Children”. Autism Parenting Magazine. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
What is a social story? Carol Gray – Social Stories. (2015, November 2). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/