What defines a social story?

A social story is characterized as a short description of a situation that includes expectations and responses. This definition highlights the key components that make social stories effective in providing guidance for social interactions. Social stories typically aim to teach individuals, often those with autism or social difficulties, how to navigate specific social situations by outlining the context, expected behaviors, and appropriate responses. By including clear expectations, social stories help individuals understand social norms and foster improved communication and interaction skills.

While social interaction is indeed a component of social stories, the core purpose is to illustrate specific scenarios with details that prepare the individual for those situations. Additionally, the use of fictional accounts or therapy-focused narratives does not capture the practical, instructional nature of social stories. Finally, data collection from observations relates more to assessment and understanding social behavior rather than actively teaching and guiding through specific situations as social stories do.