Social StoriesMaking a New Friend
How acquaintances gradually become friends: saying hello, finding something in common, and spending time together.
THE STORY COLLECTION
Everyday moments.
Meaningful conversations.
Friendship, feelings, and finding the words. Explore stories about the situations that shape everyday life.
Read a sample story ↗
9content categories
67story topics
3core collections
Find a familiar situation.
Start a conversation together.
FIND A STARTING POINT
What’s happening in their world?
67 story topics across 3 categories
01Friends & Relationships
22 story topics
Joining In
What to do when other children are already playing or talking and I want to participate.
Asking Someone to Play
Inviting another child to an activity and handling either yes or no.
When Someone Doesn't Want to Play
A “no” doesn't necessarily mean they dislike me; what I can do next.
Playing What Someone Else Wants
Friends don't always choose my preferred game; taking turns choosing activities.
Sharing an Interest
Talking about something I love while checking whether the other person wants to keep talking about it.
Learning About My Friend's Interests
Friendship involves discovering what another person likes too.
Taking Turns With Friends
Turns in games, activities, choosing things, and conversation.
Being a Good Sport
Winning and losing without friendship depending on the result.
When I Lose a Game
Disappointment is okay; the game ending isn't the same as something bad happening.
When My Friend Wins
Someone else's success doesn't take something away from me.
When a Friend Plays With Someone Else
Friends can have other friends without ending our friendship.
Feeling Left Out
What exclusion can feel like and choices for responding or seeking support.
My Friend Needs Space
Someone may want to be alone without being angry with me.
When My Friend Is Upset
Notice, ask, listen, and offer help—while understanding that I may not be able to fix it.
When I Hurt a Friend's Feelings
Understanding impact, checking what happened, apologizing, and repairing.
When a Friend Hurts My Feelings
Saying what bothered me, asking them to stop, and getting help if needed.
Arguments With Friends
Friends can disagree or get angry and still remain friends.
Is Someone Being Friendly or Unkind?
Distinguishing joking, teasing, mistakes, repeated unkindness, and bullying.
What Makes Someone a Friend?
Mutual interest, kindness, trust, and wanting to spend time together—not simply someone saying, “I'm your friend.”
Healthy Friendship Boundaries
Friends can say no, have privacy, want space, and spend time apart.
Making Up After an Argument
Calming down, understanding what happened, talking, and deciding what comes next.
02Feelings & Regulation
20 story topics
Everyone Has Feelings
Feelings are normal and aren't inherently good or bad.
Knowing What I'm Feeling
Recognizing feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, worry, excitement, embarrassment, jealousy, and disappointment.
How Feelings Feel in My Body
Heart rate, tense muscles, a hot face, stomach sensations, energy level, and other clues.
My Feelings Can Get Bigger
Noticing escalation before becoming completely overwhelmed.
When I Feel Angry
What anger feels like and safe things I can do while angry.
When I Feel Frustrated
What happens when something isn't working or is harder than expected.
When I Feel Worried
Recognizing uncertainty and ways to ask questions or seek reassurance and support.
When I Feel Overwhelmed
Too much noise, activity, information, or emotion; reducing demands and getting somewhere calmer.
When I Feel Embarrassed
Mistakes and awkward moments happen to everyone and usually pass.
When I Feel Jealous
Wanting something another person has without needing to act against them.
When I Feel Disappointed
Something can be important to me and still not happen.
When Things Aren't Fair
The difference between something feeling unfair and knowing what response will help.
When Someone Says No
Disappointment, uncertainty, and alternatives after hearing no.
Waiting Is Hard
Understanding what I'm waiting for and what I can do while I wait.
When Plans Change
Expected versus unexpected events and creating a new plan.
When I Make a Mistake
Mistakes provide information; what I can do next instead of getting stuck on the mistake.
Asking for a Break
Recognizing when I need one and communicating that need.
Finding What Helps My Body Calm Down
Different strategies work for different people: space, movement, sensory tools, music, breathing, or support from an adult.
Coming Back After a Break
A break has a beginning and an end; deciding when and how to rejoin.
When Someone Else Is Upset
Their feeling may not be caused by me, and I don't necessarily need to solve it.
03Talking & Communication
25 story topics
Starting a Conversation
Greetings, comments, and questions as different ways to begin.
What Can I Talk About?
Using shared situations, shared interests, and things I know about the other person.
Getting to Know Someone
Asking questions and learning things gradually rather than needing everything at once.
My Turn and Your Turn Talking
Conversation usually moves back and forth.
Listening While Someone Talks
Listening doesn't require eye contact; showing someone I'm following in ways that work for me.
When I Have Something I Really Want to Say
Holding the thought, finding a pause, or asking to interrupt when necessary.
Interrupting
When interruption is okay, urgent, or unnecessary.
Talking About My Favorite Subject
Sharing enthusiasm while leaving room for the other person's interests.
How Do I Know if Someone Wants to Keep Talking?
Noticing words, pauses, responses, changes of subject, and body orientation—and asking when uncertain.
When Someone Changes the Subject
Conversations naturally move between topics.
When I Don't Know What to Say
It's okay to pause, say “I don't know,” ask a question, or end the conversation.
Ending a Conversation
Ways conversations normally finish without either person being upset.
Talking With a Friend vs. a Teacher
Different relationships can have different expectations and topics.
Talking in a Group
Finding an opening when several people are talking.
When People Talk Over Each Other
Group conversation can be messy; it isn't necessarily deliberate exclusion.
Knowing How Loud to Talk
Volume depends on the environment rather than one universally “correct” voice.
When I Don't Understand Someone
Asking them to repeat, explain, or say it another way.
When Someone Doesn't Understand Me
Trying again, writing, drawing, showing, or asking for help communicating.
Saying What I Need
Directly communicating needs rather than assuming others already know.
Asking for Help
Who to ask, what information to provide, and what happens next.
Disagreeing With Someone
I can disagree without either person necessarily being wrong or bad.
Explaining Why I'm Upset
Giving enough information so another person can understand what happened.
Jokes and Teasing
Why people sometimes don't literally mean their words and how to ask when unsure.
When I Think Someone Is Mad at Me
Avoiding assumptions, noticing information, and checking with the person when appropriate.
People Don't Know What I'm Thinking
Other people only know what I've communicated; a foundational perspective-taking story.
04School & Learning
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Classroom routines, participating in learning, and finding support during the school day.
05Changes & New Situations
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Preparing for unfamiliar places, unexpected changes, and new experiences.
06Sensory Experiences
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Understanding sensory needs and communicating what feels comfortable.
07Safety & Boundaries
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Personal space, saying no, recognizing boundaries, and asking a trusted adult for help.
08Home & Family
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Everyday routines, relationships, and shared experiences at home.
09Community & Appointments
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Getting familiar with outings, appointments, and places in the community.
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