Social Story Intervention Through the Neurodiversity Lens

The neurodiversity movement is reshaping how we conceptualize neurodevelopmental differences—emphasizing the inherent value of diverse neurological experiences and advocating for meaningful societal inclusion. This article explores the neurodiversity paradigm and considers its implications for the evaluation of social stories intervention based upon metrics that agree with the neurodiversity movement instead of ableist “evidence” of behavioral improvement. Social stories are explained as a strategy aimed at supporting cognition for autistic individuals which respects the autistic experience. Specific guidance is provided for how social stories can be evaluated as a person-centered tool that respects and accommodates individual neurodiversity. Recommendations are made for ways in which to continue to improve and evaluate social story interventions.