Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Stories

Social Stories

Each Kidmunicate social story was inspired by a client. Autism social stories or picture stories help prepare children for new experiences (proactive) or help correct behavioral issues (reactive). Social Stories are pictures, supported with text, that describe a situation, action or event, outline steps in a process or set parameters of acceptable behavior.

Prepare your child for new or difficult experiences with social stories

Social stories or picture stories are used to prepare children with autism, Asperger’s syndrome or other developmental disorders for new experiences (proactive) or to correct behavioral issues (reactive). Social stories are not just for ASD, children with anxiety or sequencing issues can benefit from them too. Social stories are pictures, often supported with text, that 1) describe a situation, action or event, 2) outline the steps in a process or 3) set parameters of acceptable behavior for children with social, behavioral and language processing disorders. The goal of our stories is to promote self-management, build self-esteem and/or heighten understanding.

The social stories on this site were all inspired by a child at our clinic and each story has a purpose. And that is important because social stories should be individualized. As such, we provide the Microsoft Powerpoint® versions of the stories, so a parent, therapist or teacher can customize the images or text to fit the needs of the child. Each story is researched to ensure all the important details are in the story. Each of our stories is written with an optimistic tone and we try to provide some flexibility in the steps. For example, in our Preparing for an Airplane Trip, we talk about taking an escalator in the airport, but also inform the child that he or she has choices (an elevator or stairs).

With each social story, we also provide a list of helpful tips. The list helps you think through many of the possible situations can arise while you are preparing your child for a new experience and provides ways to pave a smooth path for your child. For example, we talk about the texture of sand on a beach and recommend that a parent buy some sand from a local hardware store and let the child feel it and wash it off.

Social stories are just one tool that can be used to change behavior or to prepare a child with autism for a new experience. We have had a lot of success using social stories.

Check out the Kidmunicate story on Spectrum Heart called Children With Autism Need To Experience Life, Not Avoid It.

Note social stories may be unsuitable or insufficient for some children.

Preparing for an Airplane Trip

Children with autism need to explore. This story helps parents prepare their children for a trip on an airplane.

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Child at airport looking at planes

Preparing for a MLB Baseball Game

Children with autism should be able to go to a professional baseball game. This story helps parents prepare them.

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Child at a MLB Baseball Game Looking at the field

Preparing for a Trip to the Beach

Prepare your child with autism for a trip to the beach. Everyone should enjoy the sand, sun and surf.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Beach Trip

Preparing for Bowling

Bowling might be the perfect sport for your child with autism. Prepare them for a day at a bowling alley.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Bowling

Preparing for Fire Drills

Fire drills are challenging for children with autism. This story helps parents and teachers reduce the anxiety of fire drills.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Fire Drill

Preparing for a Grocery Shopping Trip

Shopping can be stressful for a child with autism. This social story helps parents prepare their children for a grocery store trip.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Grocery Store

Preparing for a New Brother or Sister

Children with autism cope best with routine schedules. Nothing throws off routine schedules like a new baby in the house.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story New Brother / Sister

Preparing for a Meal Out

Do you want to take a break from cooking? This social story will help you prepare your child with autism for a nice meal out.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Bowling

Preparing To Move To A New House

Moving to a new house can be a traumatic experience for a child with autism. This story helps parents reduce the distress of moving.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Fire Drill

Preparing for Teletherapy

The coronavirus has shuttered schools and speech pathology clinics. This social story helps parents prepare their children for learning speech therapy online.

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Kidmunicate Pediatric Speech Pathology Social Story Fire Drill