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7 Back-to-School Social Stories Every Autistic Child Needs
- Autism-Talk
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Help your autistic child or student feel confident, safe, and ready to start the school year 🌈
TL;DR – Summary
Social stories help autistic children prepare for school transitions by explaining what to expect
Start the year with stories about routines, drills, and saying goodbye
Include stories that are customizable (like introducing your child's teacher or classroom)
Use stories proactively to reduce anxiety and build independence
Find links to ready-to-use social stories and related visual supports throughout this post
Table of Contents
What Are Social Stories and Why Do They Help?
If you're new to social stories, they’re short, personalized narratives designed to explain a situation, skill, or concept in a way that autistic children can easily understand.
Social stories break down confusing events—like school routines, fire drills, or bus rules—into clear steps. They often include real photos, simple language, and a reassuring tone.
💡 Not sure what a social story is or how to use them? Check out this blog: What Are Social Skill Stories?
The 7 Back-to-School Social Stories to Use Now
Here are seven social stories that I highly recommend having ready before the first day of school.
1. Welcome to School
This personalized story introduces your child to their new classroom, teacher, and school environment. You can include:
A photo of their teacher and school building
A short description of their classroom (e.g., “We sit at a blue table. There is a special area for snack time.”)
Introductions to specialists like the speech teacher or OT
The basic structure of the day (e.g., “First we hang up our backpack. Then we do morning meeting.”)
✅ Best for: the week before school starts or on orientation day🎯 Tip: Read this story daily and ask questions like, “Do you remember your teachers name?”
2. What to Expect at School
This story covers school-wide behavior expectations like:
Walking in the hallway
Keeping hands and feet to yourself
Following directions from teachers
You can also include what happens if you forget a rule (e.g., “Teachers will help you remember.”)
✅ Best for: kids new to school or starting a new school or classroom🧠 Pair with: a school rules poster or reinforcement system
3. School Drills
Many autistic children are startled by unexpected alarms. Consider stories that explain in simple terms about any drills that may occur at school such as fire, earthquake, lockdown drills, etc. These stories can cover:
What the alarm sounds like
That it’s just practice and not an emergency
What they need to do (line up, walk quietly, cover your head, etc.)
That adults will help keep them safe
Include visuals for body positioning and explain how long drills usually last.
✅ Best for: first week of school or before a known drill🧘♂️ Tip: Practice deep breathing before and after the story if child shows anxiety or has a history of anxiety around drills
4. Riding the Bus
Riding the bus is often a fun experience for young children but it can also be scary if children do not understand what to expect. A good bus story could explain:
Where and when to wait
Who rides the bus with you
Where to sit and how to buckle up (if applicable)
What to do if someone is too loud or bothers you
What happens when you arrive at school
Include any special rules for your child’s route or behavior plan.
✅ Best for: first-time or nervous riders🎒 Bonus: Include a photo of your child’s bus and driver if you can
5. Circle Time
This story can support participation in group learning by outlining:
Where to sit and how to keep your body calm
How to take turns listening and talking
What types of activities might happen (songs, story, calendar)
What to do if you feel bored or need a break
How to signal for help quietly
✅ Best for: Pre-K–2nd grade when this type of learning is a common part of everyday🪑 Build success by beginning with short times and gradually add activities as children become accustomed to sitting for adult directed activities
6. Leaving Toys at Home
Kids often want to bring favorite items to school. This may or may not be acceptable in different settings. Consider a story that helps set ground rules children can get used to at the beginning of the year. Your story can explain:
Why some items need to stay home (e.g., they might get lost or distract learning)
That teachers may allow special show-and-tell days
That their toys will be waiting after school
What items are allowed, if any (comfort item, fidget, etc.)
✅ Best for: kids who bring toys in backpacks or have attachment objects💡 Include a visual schedule for morning backpack packing to reinforce the rule
7. Saying Goodbye to Parents or Grown-Ups
Separation anxiety is common, especially during the first few weeks. A story about saying goodbye to their grown up can help ease this anxiety. The story should:
Validate feelings (e.g., “It’s okay to miss your family.”)
Explain the goodbye routine clearly
Reassure your child that grown-ups always come back
Offer ideas for what to do right after goodbye (e.g., “Then I play with blocks.”)
✅ Best for: younger kids or anyone struggling with transitions❤️ Try pairing with a goodbye hug chart or special handshake routine
Tips for Using Social Stories Effectively
✔️ Read daily for at least a week before school starts✔️ Keep the wording simple and concrete✔️ Use real-life photos whenever possible✔️ Ask gentle comprehension questions✔️ Keep the tone positive and matter-of-fact✔️ Involve your child in creating or decorating the story
🖼️ Want more help? I offer pre-made AND editable versions so you can easily plug in your own teacher names or classroom photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start reading these stories?
Start at least 5–7 days before school begins. You can continue reading them after school starts to help reinforce routines.
What if my child doesn’t want to read the story?
Try reading it at a calm time of day and keep it brief. Never force a child to listen to a story if they genuinely do not want to hear the story. If a child is usually resistant, consider reading the story out loud to yourself so child can hear the information in the background if they are interested or lay the story out in an area where they can access it on their own terms.
Should I send the story to the teacher or parent?
Yes! Teachers, paras, and therapists can read the story at school or even create a school-specific version. If stories are read in all environments children are more likely to buy into the idea that the rules or ideas in the story are valid. This builds consistency across environments.
Can I use the same story every year?
Absolutely—just update names, photos, and grade level. Reusing familiar stories can ease anxiety year after year.
Related Stories to Check Out
📖 More Posts You’ll Love:
What Are Social Skill Stories?
Visual Schedules for Back-to-School Success
How to Prepare Autistic Kids for a New Teacher or Classroom
How to Introduce School Rules to Neurodivergent Learners Using Visuals
Circle Time Strategies for Autistic Children
Q: What social stories should I use to help my autistic child get ready for school?
A: Start with seven essential stories: welcome to school, general expectations, fire drills, bus riding, circle time, leaving toys at home, and saying goodbye to parents. These help reduce anxiety and increase understanding of routines.