Social story topics
Social story: Loud noises at school
School is loud in ways adults stop noticing: the bell, the hand dryer, chairs scraping, a whole class talking at once, the hall echoing. For many autistic and neurodivergent students these sounds are not background; they are painful, and a day spent bracing for them leaves nothing for learning.
This story names the loud sounds, says when they happen and that they stop, and gives the student real options: ear defenders, a quiet spot, a signal to an adult. Read it on a calm day and make sure every option in the story is really available in the room.
A sample story
Loud Noises at My School
- 1Sometimes a loud noise happens at my school.
- 2My teacher knows loud noises can hurt my ears.
- 3I lift my ear defenders off my neck and press them firmly over both ears.
- 4I wear my ear defenders, and my ears feel safe when the loud noise happens.
A sample made with HandsOnTop. Yours is written for your student.
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Tips for using it
- Make the options in the story real: ear defenders within reach, a quiet corner that exists.
- Warn before known loud events, such as the bell and the fire drill.
- Let the student use ear protection without asking each time.
Common questions
Can one story cover all the loud sounds?
Yes, this one does. For a specific event, such as assembly or a fire drill, use the dedicated stories as well, which go into those moments in more detail.
Should ear defenders be in the story?
If the student has them, yes, as something they can choose. Describing them as a normal tool, like glasses, takes away any sense that using them is giving up.
How do I know which sounds to include?
Ask the student or the family, and watch for the moments the student covers their ears. Put those exact sounds in the topic before you generate.