What Is a Social Story? (And How to Use One Effectively) | Big Feelings Co
What is a social story?
A social story is a short, simple explanation of a situation or experience that helps children understand what to expect and what’s expected of them. It usually includes clear language and visuals that match the child’s developmental level.
Social stories were originally created to support autistic children, but they’re now used by parents, educators, and therapists to help a wide range of neurodivergent kids navigate social and emotional challenges.
When written well, a social story doesn’t just tell a child what to do. It gives them the “why” in a way that feels gentle and safe.
Why social stories help
Social stories remove uncertainty. That’s their superpower.
For a neurodivergent child, something as ordinary as walking into a classroom or hearing the word "no" can feel overwhelming if they don’t know what to expect. Social stories give their brain a roadmap. They make things predictable before the situation even begins.
Rather than reactively correcting a child after something goes wrong, social stories offer proactive support. They reduce anxiety, build trust, and help children feel more confident in new or tricky moments.
What a social story looks like
A typical social story might be a 5 to 10-page PDF or printable with simple sentences and visual cues. It often follows a gentle narrative or explanation - not commands, not lectures, just calm clarity.
Here’s an example of the kind of tone it might use:
"Sometimes people laugh. Most of the time, it’s not about me. They might be laughing at a joke, something funny they saw, or something they remembered."
The focus is on helping the child understand - not on telling them what to do.
When to use a social story
Social stories are useful both before and after situations that are emotionally or socially complex for a child.
You might use one:
• Before a new experience, like going to the dentist
• When preparing for transitions, like starting school or visiting a new place
• To explain expectations around things like sharing, taking turns, or asking for help
• To reflect on challenging moments after they happen, when the child is calm again
They’re especially powerful when they’re introduced ahead of time and revisited often.
Tips for using them well
Keep it short and focused. Avoid long explanations or too much information at once.
Use first-person or third-person language depending on what your child responds to best. Some kids love seeing their name in the story. Others feel more comfortable with a character who’s like them but not exactly them.
Read the story during a calm moment, not right in the middle of stress. Let the child engage with it in their own way - ask questions, comment on the pictures, or just absorb it.
And don’t be afraid to re-read it. Repetition builds familiarity and comfort.
Where to find or create social stories
At Big Feelings Co, we offer a collection of printable social stories designed to support emotional regulation, peer interactions, routines, and more. They’re written with neurodivergent children in mind - clear, kind, and easy to use.
Explore our printable social stories here:
Browse the collection →
You’ll also find stories that support areas like:
• Handling big emotions
• Understanding personal space
• Navigating sensory overwhelm
Each story is written to be practical and affirming, so children feel supported rather than corrected.
Final thoughts
A social story is a small tool with a big impact. It’s all about helping kids to understand the world around them in a way that makes sense to them.
When we take the time to explain, gently and visually, we build more than understanding. We build trust. And that’s where growth begins.