DTA Schools’ Let’s Get Social Series is a growing collection of short, accessible social stories designed specifically for students with complex learning and communication needs. These visual supports help students understand expectations, build emotional regulation strategies, and practice positive social behaviors in school settings.
Students in special education classrooms often benefit from direct instruction and repeated exposure to social and emotional skills. These books:
Each story promotes independence, emotional safety, and participation—critical outcomes for students learning to navigate a complex social world.
Helps students identify feelings of frustration and learn calming strategies such as deep breathing, counting to 10, and focusing attention.
Prepares students for the sometimes unpredictable presence of guests in the classroom. Offers calming techniques and expected behaviors during interruptions.
Models both helpful and unhelpful social behaviors, helping students recognize and practice respectful friendship skills like sharing, giving space, and kind communication.
These stories are versatile and easy to embed into your daily routine:
Use a social story as your “story of the day” to introduce or reinforce classroom expectations.
Offer the story when a student is upset or needs a reset. Pair with sensory tools or calming strategies.
Use during social skills groups or speech therapy sessions to build understanding through repetition and discussion.
Model core and fringe vocabulary (e.g., "stop," "feel," "friend," "calm") while reading the story on the student’s device.
Link the books to specific activities (e.g., “Visitors” before assemblies or evaluations) so students can review expectations ahead of time.
Whether you’re teaching social skills, introducing classroom expectations, or supporting emotional regulation, the Let’s Get Social Series provides developmentally appropriate tools for learners who thrive on clarity, structure, and visual support.
