Social Situations
Taking turns, sharing, losing, disagreeing and joining in with other people.
If it’s happening right now
- Step in gently if someone could be hurt or upset, and keep your voice calm and low.
- Say what happened in simple words, without blame: “Sam wanted a turn too.”
- Offer a short phrase they can use, such as “My turn next?” or “Can I have that when you’re done?”
- Give them a moment to calm down before asking them to put it right with the other person.
- Talk it through later with a story or a game, and keep the tone light.
These are everyday suggestions, not medical advice. Everything below can wait until your child is ready.
For when things are calm
- Social StoriesFifty picture stories about sharing, losing, disagreeing and asking for help.
- Practise a SituationEveryday moments to talk through together, such as waiting for a turn or sharing the last biscuit.
- Words and TalkingPicture language games for chatting, asking and saying what you mean, where pointing counts.
- Kind or Unkind?Thinks about the words, the voice and how it might feel.
- Situation CoachTurns something that happened into a short visual story to go through together.
- Things we’re practising (saved situations)Come back to situations you have saved on this device and practise them again.
Specific situations
21 situations
Lining up at school
Waiting in a line at schoolWaiting for the teacher to help
Waiting for my teacher to help meWaiting for a turn
Story: Waiting My TurnWaiting for the slide or a swing
Waiting for my turn on the slideSomeone else goes first
Story: Someone Else Goes FirstSaying goodbye after a play date
Story: Leaving a Friend’s HouseSomeone moves or touches my things
Story: Someone Moves My ThingsSomeone is in my seat
Practise: Someone is in my seatGetting an answer wrong
Story: When I Get the Wrong AnswerThe teacher corrects me
Story: When the Teacher Corrects MeBeing told no, not now or maybe later
Story: Understanding “No”Losing a game
Story: Losing a GameWinning a game
Story: Winning a GameSharing
Story: SharingAsking before taking
Story: Asking Before Taking SomethingPersonal space
Story: Personal SpaceSomeone does not want to play
Story: Someone Does Not Want to PlayDisagreeing, or the rules change
Story: Someone Disagrees With MeMy idea is not chosen
Story: My Idea Is Not ChosenAsking for help
Story: Asking for HelpSomething that happened that is not listed here
Situation Coach (build your own story)