Social story topics
Social story: Trying new foods
A new food is a new texture, smell, colour and temperature all at once, and for many autistic and neurodivergent children the familiar foods are familiar for good reason. Pressure at the table makes the next new food harder, and a cooking lesson or a class party can become a thing to dread.
This story describes trying as a set of small steps, from looking to a tiny taste, and makes clear that stopping at any step is fine. Read it before a cooking lesson or a shared meal, and let the student decide how far along the steps to go on the day.
A sample story
I Try One Small Bite
- 1Sometimes a new food sits on my plate.
- 2My teacher knows new food can feel scary to try.
- 3I pick up the carrot stick and touch it to my lips.
- 4I tried a small step with the new food, and I feel proud.
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.
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Tips for using it
- Treat looking, smelling and touching as real steps, and celebrate each one.
- Never make finishing the point; a tiny taste counts.
- Keep a safe familiar food on the plate alongside the new one.
Common questions
Is this story about eating at school or at home?
Either. Change the topic to say where, such as "in our cooking lesson" or "at dinner", and the story will match the setting.
Does it push the child to eat?
No. It describes the steps and says the child can stop at any one of them. Pressure is what the story is designed to remove.
Can I share it with the family?
Yes, from the result screen. Many families find it useful to use the same words at dinner that the teacher uses in class.