Social story topics
Social story: Sharing with friends
"Share" can sound like "give it away forever". For many autistic and neurodivergent children the word carries a real fear that the thing will not come back, and the rule is applied unevenly: some things must be shared and some are theirs, and nobody says which.
This story explains what sharing means in a concrete way, that things come back, what the student can say, and that some things, like a comfort toy, do not have to be shared. Read it before group work or free play and keep the special things in a known safe place.
A sample story
Sharing Toys With My Friends
- 1At school, there are toys and equipment for everyone.
- 2Sometimes a friend is already holding the toy I want.
- 3My friend knows I want a turn, and waiting helps us both play.
- 4I walk up to my friend, look at them, and say the words: 'Can I have a turn please?'
- 5I take a turn with the toy, and I feel happy playing with my friend.
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
- Agree which things are for sharing and which are the student’s own, and say so.
- Use a timer for shared items so the return is visible and fair.
- Model the words from the story when you share something yourself.
Common questions
Should the story say everything must be shared?
No. It makes the distinction between class equipment, which is shared, and personal or comfort items, which are not. That honesty is what makes it work.
How does the student know the thing will come back?
A timer or a turn token makes the return visible. Put the real method into the story so it describes what will actually happen.
Can I pair it with a visual?
Yes. A small set of cards, "mine", "ours", "your turn", "my turn", pairs well. The next-step card after the story opens the visuals tool with the same topic.