The story
Ella wants the ball NOW, but Arnold is still playing. Waiting feels hard, and that is okay. She asks for a turn, and Arnold says, “Not yet. Please wait.”
Free printable + video
Waiting My Turn Social Story
Learning to wait and take turns, for autistic kids and every child
- Watch the timer
- Count to ten
- Slow breath
- Turns come back
Your child wants the toy NOW, and “wait” sounds like “no”. This free printable story gives a child words for that moment: Waiting is not no. Waiting means: soon!
It comes with a waiting game, a My Waiting Tools poster, and three things a child can do while the wait goes by.
Get the free story
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Free. No payment needed.
Watch the story together
Ella’s animated story is about three minutes long. Watch it together, then say the chant together at the end.
My turn,your turn,turns come back!
What is inside the free PDF
Simple words, one idea per page, and the same Ella and Arnold pictures your child sees in the video.
Three things to do while waiting
Ella watches the sand timer, counts to ten and takes a slow breath. Then Arnold says, “Your turn, Ella!” She waited, and she feels proud.
Turns come back
Ella gives Arnold a turn, he says thank you, and then a chant to say together: “My turn, your turn, turns come back!”
Game, poster + guide
A recap of the 3 things, a waiting game, a “My Waiting Tools” poster with a line for the child’s name, and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
How to use it
- First
Read it on a calm day
Before school or before bed. A calm moment is the easiest time to learn a new plan.
- Then
Watch and say it together
Watch the video together, then say the chant: “My turn, your turn, turns come back!”
- Next
Practice with a timer
Play the game on page 21 with very short waits. When the timer ends, give the turn, so your child sees that turns really do come back.
For teachers
Using it in the classroom
Play the three-minute video at circle time, put the poster up where the class waits or lines up, and say the chant together before a game with turns. A sand timer or any timer lets the whole group see the wait go by.
Questions parents ask
What is this waiting social story about?
It is a printable story about learning to wait for a turn. Ella wants the ball while Arnold is playing. She learns that waiting is not no, waiting means soon, and that she can watch the timer, count to ten and take a slow breath while she waits.
Who is it for?
Autistic children and any young child who finds waiting hard, from preschool and kindergarten to the early grades. It is made for parents, teachers, aides and therapists to use at home, in class and in therapy.
Is there a video of the story?
Yes. The animated “Waiting My Turn” video tells the same story in about three minutes, with a chant at the end. Watch it on this page or on the AutismWorks YouTube channel.
Does it cover taking turns and sharing too?
Yes. When her turn is done, Ella gives Arnold a turn, and the story ends with “My turn, your turn, turns come back!” For more on sharing, see the free Turn Taking story below.
Do I need a sand timer?
No. Ella uses a sand timer in the story, but a sand timer or any timer you have can do the same job.
Can I print it?
Yes. The story is a printable PDF in landscape format. Print the whole story, or only the poster on page 22 for the classroom wall, a desk or the fridge.
How often should we read it?
Often. Read it on calm days, a few times a week. The same words again and again help a child remember the plan when it is time to wait.
Is it free?
Yes. AutismWorks gives this story free to families and teachers.
More free social stories
Each one is free, printable and ready for a hard moment.
Made by Tyler and his dad, Jody
Tyler McNamer has autism and is the author of two books about growing up with it, Population ONE and Becoming ONE. With his dad, Jody, he makes these free social stories so parents and teachers have simple words for hard moments.
190,000+books sold35,000+story downloads
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