Social story topics
Social story: When a friend says no
A friend saying no can land as "they do not like me" rather than "not right now". For autistic and neurodivergent students the no is often taken literally and completely, and the feeling that follows can spill into the rest of the day or into a reaction that costs the friendship.
This story explains the kinds of no a friend might mean, what the student can say back, and what to do next. It keeps the friendship intact by making a no survivable. Read it on a calm day and talk through a time it happened, then use the same words when it happens again.
A sample story
When a Friend Says No
- 1I ask my friend to play with me.
- 2My friend says no and walks away.
- 3Sometimes my chest feels tight when a friend says no.
- 4My friend is not angry — they just want to do something else.
- 5I can walk to the equipment box and pick something to play with.
A sample made with HandsOnTop. Yours is written for your student.
Make this story for your student
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Tips for using it
- Teach the difference between "not now" and "never" with examples the student knows.
- Give the student a short reply and a next thing to do.
- When you say no yourself, model the kind of no the story describes.
Common questions
Is this for friendship problems in general?
It is specifically about hearing no. For joining in, use the recess story; for sharing disputes, the sharing story. One moment per story keeps them usable.
Can the story use a real example?
Yes. Put the situation into the topic, for example "when Ava says no to playing tag", and the story will describe that moment in a general way the student recognises.
Does it work for older students?
Yes. Set the age and the reading level adjusts, so an older student gets language that respects them.