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Therapy Decision Guide

Social Narratives and Social Stories™ for Autism in Ontario

Social Stories, developed by Carol Gray in 1991, are structured written or visual narratives describing social situations, expectations, and responses. They use a specific ratio of descriptive, perspective, directive, and affirmative sentences. A meta-analysis by Kokina and Kern (2010) found moderate evidence for reducing challenging behaviour and improving social skills in autistic individuals.

Evidence review in progress · May be OAP-covered

Direct answer

Social Stories, developed by Carol Gray in 1991, are structured written or visual narratives describing social situations, expectations, and responses. They use a specific ratio of descriptive, perspective, directive, and affirmative sentences. A meta-analysis by Kokina and Kern (2010) found moderate evidence for reducing challenging behaviour and improving social skills in autistic individuals.

Kokina & Kern (2010) · Gray (2010) · NCAEP (2020) · Verified 2026-08-20

Quick summary

In brief

Social Stories, Quick Summary

  • This page is general information, not an individualized treatment recommendation.
  • Evidence labels summarize the page sources and should not replace clinical judgment.
  • Confirm provider credentials, coverage, goals, monitoring, alternatives, and fees before starting.

General information only, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, crisis service, or individual estimate. Confirm your next step with the linked source or a qualified professional.

At a glance

Evidence level
Evidence review in progress
OAP funding
Eligible under OAP core clinical services
Typical cost
Provider fees vary by setting; request a current written quote
Typical frequency
Individual plan varies; confirm the schedule with a qualified clinician
Target age range
Age suitability varies; confirm fit with a qualified clinician

OAP Coverage Note

OAP eligibility depends on current program rules, the funded service category, and the provider's credentials. Confirm coverage with AccessOAP or your service coordinator before committing to care.

Who provides this therapy

Provider credential check
Ask any prospective provider which of these credentials they hold, and confirm the credential with the relevant regulatory college before starting.
Credentials listed for this therapy
  • SLP
  • BCBA
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Parent

How Social Stories Work

Carol Gray Social Stories follow a specific formula. Each story uses a ratio of descriptive sentences (what happens), perspective sentences (how others think or feel), directive sentences (suggested responses), and affirmative sentences (cultural values or rules). Published guidelines outline these criteria.

Stories are written from the individual perspective using first person. They describe a specific social situation in concrete, literal terms. Visual supports — photographs, drawings, or symbols — accompany the text for individuals who benefit from visual information. Stories are read repeatedly before and during the target situation.

Effective Social Stories are individualized. A story about visiting the dentist for one child will differ from another based on their specific concerns, sensory sensitivities, and comprehension level. The story must accurately describe what will happen without making promises or assumptions that may not hold true.

Research Evidence

Kokina and Kern (2010) conducted a meta-analysis of Social Story interventions for autistic individuals. Published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the analysis found moderate effectiveness for reducing challenging behaviour and increasing appropriate social behaviour. Effect sizes varied significantly across studies.

The National Professional Development Center on ASD and the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP, 2020) both classify social narratives as an evidence-based practice. Research supports their use for teaching social expectations, reducing anxiety about new situations, and improving specific social behaviours in autistic children and adolescents.

Using Social Stories in Ontario

In Ontario, speech-language pathologists, behaviour analysts, and special education teachers commonly create and implement Social Stories. SLPs registered with CASLPO can develop stories targeting communication and social goals. BCBAs incorporate social narratives into comprehensive behaviour support plans funded through OAP.

Parents can create Social Stories at no cost using Carol Gray published guidelines and templates. The Carol Gray Social Stories website provides free resources and training. Ontario school boards often use Social Stories as part of Individual Education Plans (IEPs). Libraries and autism organizations frequently offer workshops on creating effective social narratives.

Evidence and sources

  1. Kokina & Kern (2010)

    Social Story interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(7), 812-826.

  2. Gray (2010)

    The New Social Story Book, Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition. Future Horizons.

  3. NCAEP (2020)

    National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice Review Team. Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Before you commit

Questions worth asking any provider
  • What certification or regulatory college licenses you to deliver this therapy, and can I verify it?
  • How will you measure progress, and how often will you share results with our family?
  • What does a typical session look like, and can we observe one before committing?
  • How does this approach get adjusted if it is not working after a few months?
  • What happens to our data, our schedule, and our funding if you leave or the practice closes?
Signs to slow down
  • The provider cannot name a regulatory college or certifying body, or asks you not to check it.
  • You are asked to sign a long-term contract before seeing a session or meeting the therapist.
  • Progress is described only in general terms, with no way to see or measure it over time.
  • The provider discourages you from getting a second opinion or asking about other approaches.
  • Fees, cancellation terms, or what OAP funding covers are unclear or change after you sign up.

Frequently asked questions

When regulated professionals create and implement Social Stories as part of a treatment plan, discuss OAP eligibility with AccessOAP. Parents can also create stories independently at no cost.

Yes. Parents can create Social Stories using published guidelines. Follow the structure: use concrete, literal language; write from the childs perspective; include visual supports; and maintain the proper sentence ratios. Refer to published Social Story resources for detailed guidance.

Social Stories can be tailored for various ages and developmental levels. Story complexity is adjusted — simple picture-based stories for young children, more detailed text for older individuals. Individuals of various ages benefit from social narratives when matched to their developmental level.

Social Stories™ is Carol Gray trademarked approach with specific criteria and sentence ratios. Social narratives is a broader term encompassing any written or visual story designed to teach social skills. Gray Social Stories are the most researched and widely recognized form of social narrative intervention.

Where the waitlist stands

Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.

See where the waitlist standsEmail your MPP

Verified references and sources

Official Organizations

  • [2025]
    Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet (updated September 17, 2025)
    World Health Organization (WHO) • Official • 2025-09-17
    View

Peer-Reviewed Research

  • [2010]
    Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Intervention for Toddlers With Autism: The Early Start Denver Model
    Dawson G, Rogers S, Munson J, et al. (Pediatrics) • Academic • 2010-01-01
    View
  • [2018]
    Early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
    Reichow B, Hume K, Barton EE, Boyd BA (Cochrane Systematic Review) • Academic • 2018-05-09
    View

About this page

Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.

Written by

Founder & Autism Advocate

Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system