Social story topics
Social story: Getting a needle
A needle is quick, but the lead-up is long: the waiting room, the sleeve pushed up, the swab that feels cold, the nurse saying "ready". For autistic and neurodivergent children the dread of the moment is often far worse than the moment, and vague reassurance makes it worse rather than better.
This story describes exactly what happens, including that the sting is short, and gives the child something to do at the moment it happens. Read it in the days before and let the child choose their job, such as looking at a picture, blowing out slowly or squeezing a hand.
A sample story
Getting a Needle at School
- 1Today I go to the nurse's room at school.
- 2The nurse has a small needle with medicine inside.
- 3The needle puts the medicine under my skin to keep me well.
- 4I can squeeze my hands together and breathe out slowly while the needle goes in.
- 5The needle is finished quickly, and I feel brave and proud.
A sample made with HandsOnTop. Yours is written for your student.
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Tips for using it
- Let the child choose their job for the moment of the needle and put it in the story.
- Do not surprise the child; the story should match what will really happen.
- Plan something small and good straight afterwards and say what it is.
Common questions
How honest should it be?
Honest and brief. "It stings for a few seconds, then it stops" is the right level. A child who is told the truth and then finds it true will trust the next story.
Can it be used for the school vaccination day?
Yes. Change the topic to "getting a needle at school with the nurse" and the story will describe the school setting, the line and the room.
Does the reward at the end help?
A small, reliable one does. It gives the child something to think about during the hard part. Only promise what will definitely happen.