Abstract:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2020, approximately 1 out
of 44 – nearly 3% – of all children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. With the
prevalence of this disorder on the rise, it is important for educational professionals – such as
teachers, special education teachers, speech therapists, counselors, and educational
psychologists – to have access to tools specifically designed for their students on the spectrum.
One option is social stories, an intervention method that presents confusing information about
complex social situations to students with autism in an unbiased and educational format.
Children and adults with autism experience, process, and interact with their environment in
different ways so it is vital that caregivers and educators can individualize their materials to
match the distinct needs of each client they serve. This resource serves to guide professionals in
their creation of social stories to serve their clientele’s behavioral, cognitive, and social needs.
As much as this thesis benefits the ASD population, its goal is to guide educators to the
successful incorporation of their exceptional learner population.
