Social Stories for Transitions and Unexpected Events

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), along with many other diagnoses, thrive on routine and structure. However, routine is not always possible. Sometimes a transition or an unexpected event occurs and changes a routine. In these instances, a social story for transitions can be crafted to guide students through the process of adjusting to new routines or settings, using simple language and illustrations to depict the change in a positive light. A transitions social story demystifies the process of moving between activities or environments for children, providing them with a structured narrative that outlines what to expect and how to behave. Incorporating a transition social story about common upcoming transitions and unexpected events can help prepare students and reduce anxiety in changes to their regular schedule. They make it easy for the individual to visualize what will happen and provide suggestions on how to respond. Story transitions skillfully bridge the gap between a young learner's interest and comprehension.

Social Stories for Transitions

Anticipated Changes	Day-to-Day Transitions	Major Transitions
Holidays Appointments Field Trip	Moving to the Next Subject Coming Home from School Getting Ready for Bed	Changing Schools Birth of a Family Member End of the School Year

Anticipated Changes

A transition is typically an anticipated or expected change, which allows time for preparation. It is common for individuals with all degrees of ASD to struggle with transitions and change, big or small, especially in their routines. Anticipated changes allow for the creation of scenario-specific social stories to help prepare those individuals who benefit from advanced notice. For instance, a being-flexible social story teaches children the value of adaptability when plans change, using relatable scenarios to encourage a positive response to unexpected situations. Storyboard That provides an easy, yet creative way to create a story for those specific changes.

The example storyboard depicts a social story for a child who typically goes home from school, but has to go to an appointment instead one day. By reading this ahead of time with the child, they can mentally prepare for the change in their routine. Many situations can be prepared for ahead of time. Free printable social stories for transitions are available online and provide accessible resources for parents and teachers to help children understand and adjust to new situations.

A social story may be beneficial for some of these events:

Examples of Anticipated Changes
School Event Holidays Field Trip	Special Event Cancellation in Advance Appointments	Teacher's Planned Absence Shopping Trip Special Guest

Day-to-Day Transitions

Everyday transitions are events that are almost guaranteed or expected to happen over the course of a typical day. Of course, unanticipated transitions are always possible, but for the most part, these are events that can be expected to occur on any given day, with some variances between weekday and weekend scheduling.

These types of transitions are more similar to a schedule or routine. Knowing what happens next can be very helpful when working and living with people who tend to be more rigid in their thought processes and dislike change. Social stories in storyboard format are a creative and useful way to create a visual style schedule for students to use. By using storyboards for stories, transitions can be more illustrative and relatable.

The example depicts a basic wake up transition board. It prepares the individual for what comes next, while also serving as a daily reminder. Though this is a basic storyboard, it can be created specifically for the individual’s needs.

Here are some other examples where a social storyboard maybe helpful:

Examples of Day-to-Day Transitions
Getting Ready for the Day Arriving at / Leaving School Morning Meeting/Calendar/Welcome	Daily School Schedule Weekly Activity Schedule Specialist Schedule	Typical Weekend Schedule Chore Routine/Schedule Getting Ready for Bed

For even more examples of transitions, schedules, and routines, please see Schedule Boards and Picture Boards in the Special Education Category of our Teacher Resources.

Major Transitions

There are also larger scale transitions that are not every day occurrences, but are part of life. Major transitions can be difficult for many people, but especially for some people with special needs. People become accustomed to what they know, and it can cause great stress when there is a major life change. Incorporating a social story ahead of the major change can help introduce the concept and assist in easing into the transition.

Major life transitions may not occur frequently, but they can have a large impact on one’s life. Fortunately, there is typically advanced notice of these events, allowing for proper preparation.

This social story example is for moving to a new home. A moving social story can be a comforting tool for children facing relocation, illustrating the journey from their current home to a new one and highlighting the exciting aspects of this change. It can help introduce the individual to their new house and the specifics of it. For actual use, it may be beneficial to use actual photographs of the new home. Actual photographs create a real life visual that the individuals can look out over and over again to gain familiarity. If they have some degree of familiarity prior to moving into a new home, it can eliminate some of the anxiety or stress when adjusting to the new home.

Below are other examples of major life transitions:

Examples of Major Transitions
First Day of School Divorce of Parents Remarriage of a Parent	Sibling Going to College Friend Moving Away Family Member Moving In	New Pet New Doctor Last Day of School

Social Stories for Unexpected Events

Students with ASD tend to have a more rigid thought process and struggle with spontaneity. Unexpected events can be difficult for them. We may not be able to warn our students when one of those events will occur, but that doesn't mean we can’t prepare them for the possibility of an event happening. Unexpected events can occur in all aspects of life, from home, to school, or out in the community.

Here are some examples of common events that can occur without prior notice:

Home Events	School Events	Community Events
Broken Appliance Oversleeping Damaged Toy	Substitute Teacher Friend’s Absence Last-Minute Schedule Change	Restaurant or Store Being Out of an Item Long Waits at a Store or Restaurant A Cancellation of Scheduled Event

Home Events

Circumstances can change suddenly, anywhere, but these changes frequently take place at home, since that is where people spend a large portion of their time. There are many things that can occur unexpectedly at home. An example of a major, unexpected event would be a power outage. Depending on where you live, a power outage may be an inconvenience or a serious problem, but can be even more stressful for a person with ASD. If an individual is taught what happens when the electricity goes out, they may be able to better process the event when it actually occurs.

Unexpected events can be upsetting or debilitating, but going over some common unexpected events may set the groundwork for more serious issues. Social stories about transitions offer narratives that explore various kinds of changes, from daily schedule shifts to major life events, teaching children how to navigate these moments with confidence and ease.

Other examples of unexpected events that could occur in the home:

Examples of Unexpected Events at Home
Damaged Toy or Important Object Bathroom Accident Broken Appliance	Physical Injury Oversleeping Sudden Storm	Snow Day Illness Death in the Family

School Events

Typically, school is a structured place where students know what to anticipate. The importance of smooth transitions during school events cannot be overstated, especially for young learners encountering these changes for the first time. All grade levels follow some type of schedule. Sometimes there are unanticipated changes or interruptions.

Here are some examples:

• Transition to Kindergarten Social Story: Kindergarten transition narratives can warmly introduce young learners to their first major educational journey, outlining what they can expect during their transition to kindergarten. This story aims to reduce any feelings of anxiety and foster a positive outlook towards starting school, covering topics such as the excitement of learning new things and making new friends.


• Social Story for Transition to New Class: Guides students through the process of moving to a new classroom, presenting the concept in a supportive and comforting way via social story. Transition to new classes becomes a process with less friction since the social story has already highlighted the key steps of the transition, set expectations for the first day, and offered tips on how to connect with new classmates, all designed to minimize stress and encourage a welcoming perspective on change.


• Fire Drill Social Story: A fire drill is a somewhat regular occurrence in schools, but can still be over-stimulating, stressful, or even frightening. Students typically don’t know ahead of time when there will be a fire drill, but that doesn’t mean we can’t prepare them for one throughout the school year. A social story can remind students that they are still safe and what they should do prior to the stress of the actual drill.

Social stories are most effective when used with individuals known personally by the storyboard creator, as not all students will benefit from prior preparation for the same events.

There are several common unexpected events that may occur in the school environment:

Examples of Unexpected Events at School
Substitute Teacher Friend’s Absence Last-Minute Schedule Change	Torn Paper Technology Malfunction Something Left at Home	Physical Injury Illness Commotion in Hallway

Community Events

Going out into the community is full of uncontrollable factors, resulting in a large potential for unexpected events. It is impossible to anticipate all of them, but it can be helpful to prepare students for some of the possible events. A traffic jam is a common, yet unexpected, occurrence when out in the community.

A social story can help teach that when there is a traffic jam, not much can be done, and that it usually improves after the cause of the jam is passed. Here are a few other possible social story ideas:

Examples of Unexpected Events in the Community
Restaurant Out of Food Item Long Lines or Waits Cancellation of Scheduled Event	Detours Elevator or Escalator Out of Service Passing Emergency Vehicles	Interactions with Strangers Protest or Strike Office or Building Closure

More Social Stories

If you are new to social stories, please read our introduction to social stories that covers the basics of social stories and how to make effective ones.

For a closer look, please see all of our social story articles:

Article	Description	Topics
Daily Living Skills	Some individuals require explicit instruction on tasks that many of us take for granted. Make a personalized social story to engage the learner.	Hygiene Housework Food Preparation
Transitions and Unexpected Events	The unknown is scary for everyone, but unexpected events and transitions can be particularly stressful for individuals with ASD. Help prepare your student or loved one for upcoming changes with a social story.	Day-to-Day Transitions Major Transitions Unexpected Events Home School Community
Social Situations	Social interactions can be very stressful for many people, with and without ASD. Make storyboards to show possible situations and outcomes.	Home School Community
Adolescent Skills	As kids get older, their interests and needs change. Brooch potentially difficult conversations with a storyboard example.	Peer Pressure Dating Job Interview
Social Stories in the Classroom	Social stories are also useful for whole group direct instruction of social and coping skills. Use a storyboard to address issues with both individuals and the class.	Coping Skills when Angry or Frustrated Social Cues Class-wide Behaviors
Social Stories for Young Children	Young children often struggle with new concepts or big changes. Create a social story to help prepare even very young children for change or new skills.	Creating a Social Story Social Story Examples Social Story Principles

Frequently Asked Questions about Social Stories for Transitions and Unexpected Events

What are social stories and how can they prepare and help my child/student with transitions and unexpected events?

For transitions, social stories can be particularly effective because they provide a clear and predictable framework for what will happen before, during, and after the transition. The social story can describe the transition step-by-step, including what will happen, how the individual should behave, and what they can expect to see or hear. This can help reduce anxiety and confusion, and provide a sense of control and predictability for the individual. Social stories are similarly helpful for unexpected events because they can help the individual understand what is happening, why it is happening, and how they should respond.

How do I know if my child/student is understanding and internalizing the social story related to transitions and unexpected events?

It can be difficult to know whether a child or student is fully understanding and internalizing a social story, as each individual is unique and may process information differently. However, there are some signs that you can look for to determine if the social story is effective for your child or student such as their level of engagement and attentiveness, their retention and ability to recall, their level of confidence when carrying out the social activity, and their own feedback about how relevant the activity was to them.

Are there any tips or best practices for creating effective social stories worksheets and cards for transitions and unexpected events?

Keep in mind that social stories are just one tool in a larger toolkit of interventions for supporting individuals with social learning difficulties. It may be helpful to use social stories in conjunction with other strategies, such as visual supports or role-playing activities, to ensure that your child or student is getting the support they need to succeed. Additionally, it may be useful to consult with a licensed healthcare professional or educational specialist for more guidance on how to use social stories effectively.

How can social stories be personalized to my child/student's specific needs and challenges?

Consider their interests, preferences, and learning style when creating the social story. Also bear in mind that using multiple strategies can be more effective in helping your child or student understand and remember the key concepts and skills presented in the social story, depending on their challenges. A good strategy to start with is to focus on the specific skills or strategies that your child or student needs to learn or practice. For example, if your child struggles with unexpected events, focus on strategies such as deep breathing or positive self-talk to help them manage their emotions. Make adjustments to your approach as needed to ensure that the social story is, in fact, meeting your child or student's needs.