Since the early '90s, Carol Gray's world-famous Social Stories(TM) have helped thousands of children with autism spectrum disorders. This 15th Anniversary Edition of her best-selling book offers ready-to-use stories that parents and educators have depended on for years--with new sections added! Additions include how to most effectively use and apply the stories, how to improve the lives of younger children, and Social Stories(TM) for teens and adults with autism. Developed through years of experience, these strategically written stories explain social situations in ways children and adults with autism understand while teaching social skills needed to be successful at home, school, work, and in the community.A Social Story(TM) accurately describes a context, skill, achievement, or concept according to 10 defining criteria. These criteria guide Story research, development, and implementation to ensure an overall patient and supportive quality, and a format, "voice", content, and learning experience that is descriptive, meaningful, and physically, socially, and emotionally safe for the child, adolescent, or adult with autism. The criteria define what aSocial Story(TM) is, and the process that researches, writes, and illustrates it.Social Stories(TM) may be described as an effective and meaningful approach to support social understanding, but the ultimate and deeper goal is to empower children and older people by enhancing their understanding of social situations and social encounters in their lives, and thereby supporting their ability to be active participants in life's routines and activities. The effective use of Social Stories(TM) goes even further--it allows practitioners and parents to build trusting relationships through their support. Ultimately, the overarching goal of Social Stories(TM) is this: to help people to be self-determined, confident and competent individuals.