Inkandescent Kids Story of the Day

How to Write a Social Story

by Ellen Smith, editor, Inkandescent Kids magazine

“Building connection through stories.” That’s how Carol Gray speaks of the social stories she introduced for her students in 1990. As a special education teacher, Ms. Gray worked with children that were on the autism spectrum. She began writing short narratives that explained social information that her autistic students might not understand. By sharing this information in a narrative style, Ms. Gray’s students knew what to expect and how to participate.

Since then, social stories have been used all around the world! Social stories are usually meant to convey information clearly to people on the autism spectrum so they will know what to expect. Social stories are also helpful for people with many other needs.

You might see a social story on an event website or at a popular attraction. As a kid reporter, you might also notice a situation where a social story would be nice to have.

In honor of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, let’s learn how to write a social story!

 

CLICK HERE for your FREE Social Story Planning Worksheets!

1. Plan your story

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Who will read the story?
  • What does the story explain?
  • When does each step happen?
  • How can I show the steps clearly?
  • Where can I share the story?
  • Why will this story help the reader?

2. Write and illustrate your story

See examples of many different kinds of social stories linked in the April 2026 Letter from the Editor.

Social stories use a combination of expressive sentences and coaching sentences.

  • Use expressive sentences to explain what your reader will likely see, hear, or feel.

“First you will walk through a revolving door. The door moves on its own! The glass doors spin slowly, but the floor does not move.”

  • Use coaching sentences to explain what the reader should do.

“There is enough room for two or three people to walk together. If there are already three people in one section, I will wait until the door passes and go in the next section.”

Social stories can use illustrations to help make each step more clear.

  • Photographs are helpful for specific places and experiences.
  • Picture symbols, drawings, and clip art are helpful for illustrating general actions, like “walk in a line,” or “pay the cashier.”

3. Share your story!

If you write a social story about visiting a local park or playground, your local newspaper or the park’s website might like a copy! Ask if they would like to offer the story on their website or print a few copies to have at the entrance.

If your social story is about a specific event, make sure it’s available at least a week before! That gives your audience time to read your social story several times before they participate. Maybe including your social story with tickets or adding it as a download on the sign-up page is a good idea!

 

Results from the Inkandescent Kids Writing Challenge for April 17-24, 2026!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Inkandescent Kids Writing Challenge for April 17-24, 2026! We enjoyed seeing your social stories!
Congratulations to Rachel S., Ms. D’s class, and Ginny S., the finalists of our writing challenge! Please enjoy their social stories below:

Sensory Friendly Movie by Rachel S., USA

How to Play Red Light, Green Light by Ms. D’s class, Maryland, USA

Go to Easy Little Plants by Ginny S., Maryland, USA

March 2026: In her books to help families thrive, child psychiatrist Dr. Gayani DeSilva offers insights for tweens and teens — and their parents — to stop addiction and depression before it starts

A Note from Dr. Gayani DeSilva, a child and adolescent psychiatrist — “I obtained my medical training at Albany Medical College before interning at Brown University and doing a residency at Harvard, and have been honored to win numerous awards for my insights and work, including helping children in juvenile justice centers and foster care. Based on my experience and research, I have written several books with the goal of providing insight for parents hoping to help depressed tweens and keep their children from suffering from addiction.” If you are struggling with these issues, please take a look at these books.

 

December 2025: Children’s book author Karen Leggett Abouraya teaches us that we are all connected in her newest tale, Zamzam

A Note from Karen Leggett Abouraya, author of the children’s book, “Zamzam” — Zamzam is a young boy who enjoys life with his Egyptian grandparents in Alexandria, Egypt, and his American grandparents in New York City. He shares big and little differences in his daily experiences in each country – including phrases in Arabic and English — but ultimately realizes that the most important experiences are exactly the same​ across cultures. We know you’ll embrace this story of peace, family, and love.

September 2025: In his new book, “The Secret Sauce,” Superintendent Peter Noonan and his team of Educators Share 45 Ideas on What Makes FCCPS Special

A Note from Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent of Schools — “When I arrived in 2017 to serve Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) as the 9th Superintendent in the division’s history, I knew something about this place was different than anywhere else I had ever worked,” insists Dr. Noonan. Read all about it in the 45 essays by teachers, administrators, and Fall Church officials that sum up the story in his 2025 book, “The Secret Sauce.”

Get Ready to “Scanimate!”

Making kids giggle, grown-ups grin — then say “how’d he do that?” — is the goal for Rufus Butler Seder. He credits his parents for helping him become a filmmaker, inventor, toymaker, and author of several moving picture books including Gallop! (2007), Swing! (2008), and his 2009 release, Waddle!