Free printable social story
Calm Down Social Story for Kids
A big feeling can arrive fast. This 15-page printable story helps a child notice it and choose a calm-down tool: take a big breath, count to ten, take a walk, ask for space, ask for help, or get a hug.
It comes with a breathe-along page, a count-along page and a My Calm-Down Tools poster for the fridge or the classroom wall.
Free. No payment needed.
What is inside the free PDF
Simple words, one idea per page, and the same Arnold artwork families already know from the AutismWorks videos.
The story
11 pages that walk through a big feeling, from "Sometimes I feel angry. That's okay." to "Now I feel better!"
Breathe along
Circles that grow for "breathe in" and shrink for "breathe out", so the child can follow with a finger.
Count along
Numbers 1 to 10 to touch one by one while counting slowly.
Tools poster
A "My Calm-Down Tools" poster with a line for the child's name, plus a "circle one" choice page.
How to use it
1. Read it at a calm time
Before bed or after school. A calm moment is the easiest time to learn a new tool.
2. Practise the tools together
Breathe along and count along with the child, so the tools feel easy when a big feeling comes.
3. Put up the poster
On the fridge, a bedroom door or the classroom wall, where the child can point to a tool.
Made by AutismWorks
AutismWorks is Tyler McNamer and his dad, Jody. Tyler is an autistic adult whose books have sold over 190,000 copies. The AutismWorks social stories have been downloaded more than 35,000 times by parents and teachers.