Social story topics
Social story: Eating lunch at school
Lunch at school is a sensory event: smells from other lunch boxes, noise from a hundred children, packaging that will not open, and a short time to do it all in. For autistic and neurodivergent students the eating itself can be the least of it, and a lunch left uneaten often comes from the room, not the food.
This story takes the student through lunch in order: where to sit, opening the box, eating, the bin, and what comes after. Read it at home with the real lunch box in front of you so the packaging is practised too. A picture of what is in the box each day removes one more surprise.
A sample story
Eating My Lunch at School
- 1At lunchtime, I go to the lunch area to eat.
- 2I sit down and open my lunchbox on the table.
- 3Food gives my body energy to play and learn.
- 4I can hold my food and take small bites.
- 5I eat my lunch, and my tummy feels full and good.
A sample made with HandsOnTop. Yours is written for your student.
Make this story for your student
The situation is filled in. Add a name and what they love, then click Make it — the first one is free.
Free to try · no card needed.
Tips for using it
- Practise opening every container at home before it goes in the box.
- Offer a quieter spot to eat if the hall is overwhelming, and put it in the story.
- Keep the lunch itself predictable in the first weeks.
Common questions
Can the story deal with eating near other people?
Yes. Describe the sounds and smells honestly and what the student can do, for example sitting at the end of the bench or facing the playground.
What about students who eat very little at school?
The story can take the pressure off by describing eating what they can and finishing at home. Talk to the family about what a good lunchtime looks like for this student.
Can I make a lunch box visual too?
Yes. A matching set of cards for what is in the box and the lunch routine is one click from the story result.