Social story template

A blank, first-person story frame for a new place, a change, or something that keeps going wrong.

For: Parents, teachers, SLPs · Free to print, copy and share · No sign-up

How do I write a social story?

Write it in first person, in the present tense, describing what will happen and what the person can do. Keep it factual and calm — mostly description, very little instruction. Read it several times before the event, not during it.

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The PDF is built in your browser on the next screen — nothing is saved or emailed.

How to use it

  1. Name the one situation the story is about. One story, one situation.
  2. Describe where it happens and who will be there, plainly.
  3. Describe what will happen, in order.
  4. Add how it might feel, without telling them how they should feel.
  5. Give one or two things they can do or say if it gets hard.
  6. Read it together well before the event, and again on the day.

Things worth knowing

Want this made for your situation?

Tell Nova the situation and it can draft the story in your child's own words for you to edit.

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