CompletedInterventional

A primary school research study to establish whether Social Stories™ can improve social and emotional health in children with autism spectrum disorder

School can sometimes feel stressful and confusing for autistic children, which can lead to anxiety, distress, or challenging behaviour. Social Stories™ are short, personalised texts designed to help autistic children understand everyday social situations and what to expect. This NHS-funded study (called ASSSIST2) aims to find out if using Social Stories in primary schools improves children's emotional wellbeing and social communication. Primary schools across Yorkshire and the Humber will be randomly split into two groups. In one group, teachers will be trained to write and share Social Stories with the child over four weeks. In the other group, children will receive their normal school support, and the school will receive the story training after six months. Parents and teachers will fill in simple questionnaires over six months. Participating families also receive a £20 voucher to thank them for their time.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

278

Start

01 Oct 2018

Estimated completion

31 May 2021

Childhood autism

What is this study about?

Starting primary school and navigating daily social rules can be tough for any child, but it can be especially challenging for autistic children. Difficulties with communication, changes in routine, and busy classrooms can cause high levels of stress, anxiety, and frustration. When children feel overwhelmed, it can lead to behaviours that challenge both the child and their teachers, making it harder to learn and make friends.

To help support children in the classroom, researchers are looking closely at an approach called Social Stories™. These are short, gentle stories written from the child's perspective. They break down social situations into clear, predictable steps, helping children understand what is happening around them and giving them positive ideas on how to respond.

This study, based in schools across Yorkshire and the Humber, tests whether Social Stories truly make a difference to a child's day-to-day life. By comparing pupils who receive these stories with those receiving standard classroom support, researchers hope to give teachers and the NHS clear evidence on how best to support autistic children, reduce distress, and create calmer learning spaces.

Key takeaways

Open to autistic children aged 4 to 11 attending primary schools in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Compares personalised Social Stories™ with normal school support to see what helps children best.
No hospital visits or medications are involved; all activities take place at school and home.
Parents and teachers complete three short questionnaires over a six-month period.
Every school taking part receives free training and materials by the end of the project.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to primary school children aged 4 to 11 who have a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To take part, the child must also experience daily challenging behaviour at school and attend a primary school located within the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Children cannot take part if their school has already used Social Stories™ with them during the current school term or the term before. In addition, children or teachers who took part in the earlier feasibility study (ASSSIST) are not eligible, although schools themselves are still welcome to join if different pupils and staff are involved.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

My child is aged between 4 and 11 years old.
My child has an official diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
My child attends a primary school in Yorkshire or the Humber.
My child experiences challenging behaviour on a daily basis at school.
The school has not used Social Stories™ with my child this term or last term.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the study lasts for about six months and takes place during regular school days. There are no clinic visits and no medication involved. First, parents and teachers will complete a set of background questionnaires about the child's behaviour, wellbeing, and daily life.

Next, a computer will randomly place the child's school into one of two groups. If the school is in the Social Stories group, a teacher will be trained to write a custom story for the child and read it with them at least six times over a four-week period. If the school is in the usual-care group, the child will continue with their normal support as usual.

To see how the child is getting on, parents and teachers will fill out two more brief questionnaires: one at six weeks and another at six months. After the six-month questionnaires are done, schools in the usual-care group will be given full Social Stories training and guides so their pupils do not miss out.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part may directly help the child understand social situations better, potentially reducing stress and disruptive behaviours in class. Schools and parents also gain free access to specialist training on how to write and use Social Stories™, and families receive a £20 voucher to thank them for their time. On the other hand, some children might feel reluctant or uncomfortable reading the stories, and some parents may find answering questions about their child's difficulties emotionally sensitive. Taking part is completely voluntary, and if a child or parent feels distressed, they can step away from the study at any time without losing any normal school or NHS support.

Locations (110)

West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre
Approximate
Pudsey, England
Newlands Primary School
Approximate
Normanton, England
Castleton Primary School
Approximate
Leeds, England
Ashfield Primary School
Approximate
Otley, England
Victoria Primary School
Approximate
Keighley, England
Thornton Primary School
Unverified
Bradford, England
High Crags Primary Leadership Academy
Unverified
Shipley, England
Lacewood Primary School
Unverified
Rotherham, England
Kirk Sandall Infants and Juniors Schools
Unverified
Doncaster, England
Chiltern Primary School Hull
Unverified
Hull, England
St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic Primary School
Unverified
York, England
Embsay Church of England Primary School
Unverified
Skipton, England

Common questions

What exactly is a Social Story™?

A Social Story™ is a short, simple story written specifically for a child. It describes a situation, skill, or concept in an easy-to-understand way, helping autistic children know what to expect and how to respond safely and calmly.

Does my child have to take any medicine or attend hospital visits?

No. This study does not involve any medicines, medical tests, or hospital appointments. All activities take place through questionnaires and standard school activities.

What happens if our school is placed in the 'usual care' group?

Your child will continue to receive all their usual classroom support. Once the final six-month questionnaires are finished, the school will be given the full training and manuals so they can use Social Stories™ in the future.

Can my child leave the study if they do not like it?

Yes. If your child seems distressed or simply does not want to read the stories, you or your child can choose to stop taking part at any point without giving a reason.

Will taking part cost anything?

No, it is completely free. In fact, each participating family receives a £20 voucher as a thank-you gesture for completing the study questionnaires.

How to find out more

Jane Blackwell

Jane.blackwell2@nhs.net +44 (0)1904 294244 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.