Social story topics
Social story: Going to the doctor
A doctor looks in your ears and mouth, presses on your tummy, puts a cold stethoscope on your chest and asks you to be still while all of it happens. The waiting room is full of strangers and the wait is unpredictable. For autistic and neurodivergent children a routine visit can feel anything but routine.
This story describes the visit from the waiting room to the walk out, with each thing the doctor does named in plain words. Read it the day before and bring it along; many doctors are happy to follow the order in the story and to say what they are about to do.
A sample story
My Check-Up at the Doctor
- 1Today I am going to the doctor for a check-up.
- 2The doctor checks my body to make sure I am well.
- 3Sometimes the stethoscope feels cold on my skin.
- 4I can sit still and take one slow breath in and out.
- 5My check-up is done, and I feel proud and safe.
A sample made with HandsOnTop. Yours is written for your student.
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Tips for using it
- Ask the receptionist for the first appointment so the wait is short.
- Play doctor at home with a toy stethoscope before the visit.
- Bring the story and show the doctor the order it describes.
Common questions
Can I write in what the doctor will do?
Yes, if you know. For a check-up the story covers the usual things: ears, throat, chest, tummy. If a needle is planned, use the separate needle story as well.
Is the language alright for a worried child?
The story is calm and matter-of-fact. It names what will happen without drama and gives the child something to do at each step, such as holding a toy.
How many times should we read it?
Two or three times in the days before and once in the waiting room. Short and repeated works better than one long session.