This is a social story meant to help early and middle years children to better understand their SENSORY NEEDS, and how to Self-Regulate. Many of our students (in particular, those on the Autism Spectrum, ADHD, etc.) are highly sensitive to their surroundings, and have various sensory sensitivities. This social story talks about what our 5 Senses do, and why they are important for better understanding our world. The story talks about how students can become overwhelmed due to one or more of their senses being ‘Too Excited’!, particularly in certain settings/places. The story talks about how the student may react (e.g., yelling, crying, hiding, running away, etc.) and offers alternative, safer ways to cope with excited senses (e.g., deep breathing, calm space, headphones, etc.). It ends by validating the student’s emotions and reinforces the student’s safer choices, and reminds them that they can do this successfully with help from their friends, family and teachers. It is in PDF Format (8.5 x 11 inch), and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual way, and while it is geared towards early and middle years, can be used across all ages and developmental levels. I have personally used it in individual and group format, in elementary and special needs junior high/high school classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students!

Many of our students have difficulties modulating and controlling the volume of their voices. This is especially true with our students who have issues with language, impulse control, and limited social awareness (e.g., language disorder, deaf/hard of hearing, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, FASD, etc.). This is a social story meant to help children to practice controlling the volume of their voice, across all settings, but particularly at school, and in the classroom. The social story consists of 13 pages of visual teaching of these concepts. It provides an overview of what Voice Volume looks like, from Not Talking at all, to Soft/Quiet, to Medium, to Loud and Extra Loud. This story explains that each volume level can be appropriate, but only in the right place and situation, and right time - providing examples of what this looks like. Included in the story is a VOICE VOLUME METER visual, that incorporates a 1-5 rating scale, and corresponding visuals and descriptors. This visual aid can be laminated and used in the classroom and at home, either on the wall or in a binder. It is in PDF format, and so can easily be printed and/or laminated. It is presented in a simple, fun and visual format, and can be used across all ages and developmental levels. I have personally used it in individual and group format, in regular elementary and special needs classrooms. I hope it helps you, help your students! And, please feel free to leave your review and feedback, as I am always striving to provide valuable resources to my fellow educators. Thank You!

Our students and children often struggle with managing their emotions and feelings, especially when these emotions are strong and overwhelming. It can be difficult to understand how to manage emotions in the midst of stress, and how to juggle more than one emotion at a time. This Social Story is meant to provide students with clear, step-by-step guidance and instruction around How to Manage Strong Emotions. This includes: A. Normalizing the experience of having strong emotions B. Examples of common emotions C. Examples of what being extremely excited, angry, and worried might look like, both mentally and physically D. Introducing effective strategies to Calm and Process strong emotions E. Offering space for the student to come up with their Own strategies F. Reinforcing the importance of learning this skill! This 11-page social story is in PDF format, and can be easily printed and laminated. It contains engaging visuals and developmentally appropriate language. It is best suited for elementary students (Gr. K-6) and students in special education/life skills classroom settings. As always, I encourage you to leave a review/feedback, so I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!

The Social Story: Coping with Change, was created in order to help students and children to learn about what change means, and more importantly, to share effective and practical ways to cope with change in our lives. The story cites several examples of what change means, what change looks like (seasons, weather, time, family, friends, where we live, where we go to school, how we feel, our thoughts, looks, etc.), and how change can affect our daily life. It speaks to normalizing change and reinforces that change is normal and okay! The story discusses how some change is expected and planned, while other change is unexpected and sudden. It goes on to outline how change may cause us to feel and react, and how we can self-regulate in order to handle change effectively at home and school, or other setting. This 10-page social story is in PDF format, 8.5x11, and can be easily printed and laminated. It uses clear language and engaging visuals, and while tailored for elementary years, is suited to all developmental and grade levels, across regular and special education settings.

This resource called, FASD and ME: Social (Success) Story - Strategies for Life!, is really a manual and workbook for children and youth living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - to use in order to empower and educate themselves on FASD, identify with others with FASD, and learn strategies to live and cope with FASD in healthy ways. This resource can be used independently, or the child can be guided through with the support of an adult (Teacher, EA, parent, etc.) This resource is 37 pages, and in PDF format (8.5 x 11), and so can be easily printed. It contains developmentally appropriate language and engaging visuals in order to engage the child in a fun and interactive way. There are Two Parts, with Part 1 focusing on Education on FASD, and Part 2 focusing on Strategies to Live with FASD. Part 1: Living with FASD - All About Me What is FASD Communication Socialization Attention, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity Sensory Emotions/Feelings Learning Difficulties Life Skills Managing Change & Transitions Emphasis on Strengths & Talents Part 2: Living with FASD - Strategies & Ideas Examples of Feelings and Emotional Reactions Strategies to Process Feelings and Emotions Strategies to Regulate Sensory Needs Strategies to Incorporate Routine and Structure Strategies for Communication Strategies for Social Interaction and Making Friendships Strategies to Navigate Bullying Behaviours Mention of Medication as means to Moderate Behaviours Emphasis on Strengths and Talents Opportunity to Draw and/or Write About What It’s Like Living with FASD As always, please leave feedback and review, so that I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!

This Social Story, entitled My ADHD & ME: Strategies for Life! is something I created in order to not only educate, but to empower children and youth with ADHD, in order to better understand themselves, to advocate for themselves, and learn strategies to utilize their many strengths, in life. Children and youth with ADHD need to be educated on what ADHD means, what it brings (both challenges and positive strengths) and how to best manage it, so that they may experience life to the fullest! This 20 page social story is more of a Success Guide for Life, for children and youth with ADHD. It can be used independently, as well as alongside teachers and parents. It includes the following: Description of ADHD, including explanations of Inattention, Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Analogy of ADHD as our brain and body being like a turbo-charged engine Discussion on how Revving so fast can affect our learning What feelings and emotions may come along with ADHD Validation and examples of different emotions and how this can look when it overwhelms us Analogy of learning how to apply the brakes to slow down, and be a happy driver and in control Discussion of several practical strategies to help with applying the brakes and regaining control, including space for child to list their own strategies Brief discussion on medication as a tool to help with staying on track Emphasis on the ADHD child’s strengths, with examples and space to list their own! Reminder that ADHD makes them extra special Page for child/youth to write or draw what it is like for them to live with ADHD. This 20 page story is in PDF format (8.5x11 inches), and is easily printable. It is full of engaging visuals, and uses developmentally appropriate language. It is geared towards elementary to early junior/secondary students, as well as students in special education and life skills settings. As always, please leave a review/feedback so I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!

This resource called, AUTISM and ME: SOCIAL (SUCCESS) STORY - Strategies for Life!, is really a manual and workbook for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder to use in order to empower and educate themselves on ASD, identify with others with ASD, and learn strategies to live and cope with ASD in healthy ways. This resource is 40 pages, and in PDF format (8.5 x 11), and so can be easily printed. It contains developmentally appropriate language and engaging visuals in order to engage the child in a fun and interactive way. There are Two Parts, with Part 1 focusing on education on ASD, and Part 2 focusing on strategies to live with ASD. Part 1: Living with Autism - ALL ABOUT ME Communication Socialization Sensory Emotions/Feelings Perseveration Repetitive Movements & Behaviours/Stimming Insistence on Sameness/Routine Splinter skills/Interests Emphasis on Strengths Part 2: Living with Autism - Strategies & Ideas Examples of Feelings and Emotional Reactions Strategies to Process Feelings and Emotions Strategies to Regulate Sensory Needs Strategies to incorporate Routine and Sameness Strategies for Communication Strategies for Social Interaction and Making Friendships Strategies to Navigate Bullying Behaviours Mention of Medication as means to moderate behaviours Emphasis on Strengths and Talents Opportunity to Draw and/or Write About What It’s Like Living with ASD While labeled a social story, this resource is really an in-depth manual or workbook on how to live successfully with ASD and to appreciate one’s strengths and talents, that do accompany living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As always, please leave feedback and review, so that I may continue to provide practical resources to my fellow educators. Thank you!