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.

Get the PDF See all printables

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

Where a paper sheet stops

A printed sheet is fixed. It can't change when the routine changes, it doesn't know the person using it, and it can't put anything in writing for a school or clinic.

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.

Nova is a support companion for autistic people, families and the professionals who help them. Every printed sheet carries a scannable code and this short link: portal.novaautism.com/s/social-story-template

Ask Nova to draft one Get the PDF

Other free printables

Visual schedule template

Blank picture-and-word boxes for a morning, school, or bedtime routine.

First / Then card

Two big boxes: what happens first, what happens after. The simplest transition support there is.

Sensory profile checklist

Work through each sense and mark what soothes, what overwhelms, and what's still unclear.

Meltdown & triggers log

Record what came before, what helped, and how long recovery took. Patterns show up within two weeks.

This sheet is a practical support, not medical, legal, or diagnostic advice.