Living Well With Autism

A social story that explains the concept of personal space.

If you have a child who tends to get too close to people, this story will explain the concept of personal space, the consequences of getting too close, and the rewards associated with maintaining appropriate social distance. 

Be sure to practice this with your child in a fun way, during neutral times, and look for teachable moments for emphasis.

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A social story about feelings and good choices.

Everybody feels angry, sometimes.  For a child with autism, feeling angry can feel overwhelming and scary. 

This social story helps children recognize when they feel angry, and provide good choices they can make to cope with their angry feelings. 

Introduce this social story at an emotionally neutral time and talk about what works with your child.

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A social story about when it is appropriate to hug, for middle school and high school students.

As children with special needs enter puberty and start to mature, they can become very "touchy-feely."  This behavior can understandably make some people uncomfortable, including fellow students. 

Teach your child when it is appropriate to hug, where one may hug, and how to ask for hugs. 

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A social story about appropriate behavior in a variety of settings, specifically about kissing.

Sometimes children with autism don't know how to express themselves around their peers, and, being used to being kissed at home, don't understand why it's not okay at school. 

If your child is kissing other students at school, this social story explains why that is not appropriate, and provides ideas for positive replacement behaviors that are more acceptable among peers.

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A social story about the importance of appropriate conversational topics in public

As children get older, they may become curious about sex and body changes.

Use this social story to explain when it is okay to ask questions about a sensitive topic.

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A social story explaining what are private parts and who can see them, and in what situations.

As most parents of children with autism learn when their children go "streaking," their children may not intuitively understand social concepts like modesty. 

Use social stories to educate children with autism about what naked means and their private parts and touching, in a way that is non-judgmental, matter-of-fact and non-threatening. 

Children with special needs are far more likely to be abused than neurotypical children, so this is one way to help protect them from harm, as well as increasing their social literacy and acceptance.

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A social story that explicitly describes and illustrates what parts of the body are private parts

It's important that children understand what are private parts, both for men and women, boys and girls. 

This social story does have drawings that depict private parts, including bottom, penis, testicles, vagina, and breasts, as well as underwear, bra, and panties. 

Teach your child the adult words for these parts, and the social rules associated with private parts.  It's important for their self-protection and awareness.

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This social story explicitly describes what happens during sexual excitement and climax and suggests appropriate behaviors associated witih masturbation in a non-judgemental way.

It's normal and healthy for men and boys to explore their bodies in privacy.  People with autism may have problems understanding the social rules associated with this aspect of their sexuality. This social story attempts to make the rules and expectations clear.  Please use with sensitivity.

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