Social Stories for Patients

Here are some practical instructions and tips for reading a social story to a neurodivergent child.

1. Read in a Calm Environment: Choose a quiet space free of distractions so the child can focus on the story.

2. Read at the Right Time: Share the story when the child is calm and receptive, not when they are upset or overstimulated.  For new routines or events, read the story several days or weeks in advance to prepare them.

3. Use a Steady, Clear Voice: Speak slowly and clearly. Avoid rushing—give the child time to absorb the information.

4. Repeat Often: Read the story daily or multiple times to help the child remember and feel comfortable with the concepts.

5. Pair with Visuals: This social story has pictures, point to them as you read. Real life photos are used along with simple drawings that your child can relate to.

6. Pause and Check for Understanding: Ask simple questions like “What happens next?” or “How do we feel when…?” Use yes/no or choice questions if open-ended questions feel overwhelming like "Is it okay to be afraid?" and "Does Dr. Dan clean teeth?"

7. Model and Act Out the Story: Role-play the actions described in the story. For example, when you see a visual of a child smiling, ask your child to smile too. Model it and have fun!

8. Use Positive Reinforcement: Praise the child for listening and engaging with the story. Offer encouragement like “You’re doing a great job learning about this!”

9. Adapt to the Child’s Needs: If the child struggles to sit through the entire story, break it into smaller sections or skip through some text. Modify language or pictures if needed to better match the child’s age, understanding, or interests. For example, instead of roaring like a lion, your child can roar like a dinosaur instead.

10. Connect the Story to Real-Life Situations: After reading, point out when something from the story happens in real life. Say, “This is just like in our story—remember what we do next?”