Tips &amp; Guides for Parents

Best Social Story Apps for Autism in 2026 — Free & Paid Options Reviewed

We tested the top social story apps for children with autism and ADHD. Compare GrowTale, Pictello, and others — free options included, printable PDFs available.

7 min readJun 2, 2026

Social Stories for the Grocery Store: Making Errands Easier

Help your child with autism or ADHD handle grocery store trips with social stories. Covers sensory tips, practical strategies, and free resources.

7 min readMay 26, 2026

Teaching Patience & Waiting: Social Stories That Work

Discover how social stories teach children with autism and ADHD to wait patiently. Practical strategies, examples, and free story resources.

8 min readMay 19, 2026

Free Printable Social Stories for Autism: Complete Library & How to Use Them

Access our free printable social stories library for children with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Organized by topic with instructions for home and school use.

10 min readMay 16, 2026

Social Stories for School: A Parent's Guide to Classroom Success

Learn how social stories help children with autism and ADHD navigate school challenges: classroom rules, lunch, recess, buses, fire drills, and asking for help.

11 min readMay 16, 2026

Social Stories for Kids: A Parent's Step-by-Step Guide to Using Them Effectively

Learn when, how often, and how to introduce social stories to your child with autism, ADHD, or anxiety. Plus signs they're working and common mistakes to avoid.

12 min readMay 16, 2026

How to Write a Social Story for Your Child: Carol Gray's Complete Guide

Learn Carol Gray's social story methodology: sentence types, ratio rules, and templates. Includes a fill-in template and when to use personalized vs pre-written stories.

15 min readMay 16, 2026

How to Explain Autism to Siblings: Age-by-Age Guide

Learn how to explain autism to siblings at every age, from toddlers to teens. Practical scripts, conversation starters, and social story tips.

8 min readMay 12, 2026

Social Stories for Restaurants: A Parent's Guide to Dining Out

Help your child with autism or anxiety enjoy restaurant meals with social stories. Covers ordering, waiting, noise, and sensory challenges.

9 min readMay 5, 2026

Social Stories for Flying on an Airplane with an Autistic Child

Help your autistic child prepare for flying with social stories. Covers airports, security, boarding, takeoff, turbulence, and landing.

9 min readApr 28, 2026

Social Stories for Summer Camp: Preparing Your Child

Help your child with autism or anxiety prepare for summer camp with social stories. Practical tips for drop-off, activities, and new routines.

8 min readApr 21, 2026

How to Calm an Autistic Child During a Meltdown: 7 Strategies

Seven evidence-based strategies to help your autistic child during a meltdown. Learn the difference between meltdowns and tantrums, plus prevention tips.

9 min readApr 14, 2026

Social Stories for Birthday Parties: Helping Your Child Celebrate

Learn how social stories help children with autism enjoy birthday parties. Practical tips for noise, crowds, and unexpected changes.

9 min readApr 7, 2026

Social Stories for Every Emotion — Free Illustrated Guide

A free illustrated guide to social stories for 10 common emotions. Learn what each feeling looks like in the body, when to read the story, and how to help your child manage big feelings.

13 min readApr 3, 2026

Social Stories for IEP Goals: Examples, Templates & How to Use Them

Learn how to use social stories to support IEP goals for children with autism. Includes real examples, sentence types, and free stories aligned to common IEP targets.

11 min readMar 31, 2026

Visual Schedules vs Social Stories: Which Does Your Child Need?

Learn the key differences between visual schedules and social stories, when to use each, and how they work together to support children with autism.

9 min readMar 31, 2026

10 Social Story Examples for Kids (Free to Read & Print)

10 free social story examples for kids with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Read, print, or personalize each story for your child.

10 min readMar 31, 2026

Social Stories for Haircuts: Helping Your Child Stay Calm

Learn how social stories help children with autism stay calm during haircuts. Practical tips for sensory challenges, plus create a free personalized story.

10 min readMar 16, 2026

Social Stories for the Doctor's Office: A Parent's Guide

Help your child prepare for doctor visits with social stories. Practical tips for reducing medical anxiety in neurodivergent kids. Create a free personalized story.

12 min readMar 16, 2026

Social Stories for ADHD: Do They Work? A Parent's Practical Guide

Social stories help children with ADHD understand expectations and manage transitions. Learn which situations benefit most and how to get started with free examples.

11 min readMar 16, 2026

How to Create Social Stories for Your Child (And Why Personalization Matters)

Learn how to write effective social stories using Carol Gray's methodology. Step-by-step guide with research-backed tips for autism, ADHD, and anxiety.

13 min readMar 16, 2026

How to Help Your Autistic Child Handle Schedule Changes and Cancelled Plans

Learn practical strategies to help your autistic child cope with schedule changes, unexpected surprises, and cancelled plans. Evidence-based tips from parenting experts.

10 min readFeb 26, 2026

Preparing Your Autistic Child for Kindergarten: A Social Story Guide

Reduce kindergarten anxiety with social stories, visual schedules, and school visits. Practical guide for parents of autistic children starting school for the first time.

14 min readFeb 26, 2026

How to Help Siblings Understand Autism: Age-Appropriate Conversations That Build Empathy

Learn how to explain autism to your child's siblings with age-appropriate conversations that build empathy and strengthen family bonds. Practical strategies inside.

11 min readFeb 26, 2026

How to Help Your Child With Autism Understand Personal Space and Body Boundaries

Learn practical strategies to teach children with autism about personal space and body boundaries. Expert tips, social stories, and step-by-step guidance for parents.

11 min readFeb 26, 2026

Explaining Divorce to an Autistic Child: What Actually Helps

How to explain divorce to your autistic child in a way they understand. Covers consistency across two homes, social stories for separation, and reducing anxiety.

18 min readFeb 21, 2026

How to Help Your Child with ADHD Follow Classroom Rules

Learn why kids with ADHD struggle with classroom rules and discover practical strategies—from visual reminders to 504 plans—to support success at school.

16 min readFeb 21, 2026

Do Social Stories Actually Work? What the Research Says

Explore what research reveals about social stories effectiveness for autism and ADHD. Learn where evidence is strong, common mistakes, and how to use them effectively at home.

How to Prepare Your Child with Autism for Starting a New School

Practical strategies to help your autistic child transition to a new school. Learn about social stories, visual schedules, IEP planning, and building teacher relationships.

14 min readFeb 21, 2026

Helping Your Child with Autism Cope with Moving to a New Home

Learn how to help your autistic child transition to a new home. Expert strategies for preparing, using social stories, and maintaining routines during moving day.

15 min readFeb 21, 2026

How to Prepare Your Autistic Child for a New Baby

Learn how to prepare your autistic child for a new sibling. Discover practical strategies, social stories, and tips to minimize disruption and support positive adjustment.

13 min readFeb 21, 2026

How to Teach Sharing and Turn-Taking to a Child with Autism

Learn why autistic children struggle with sharing, and discover visual tools, social stories, and structured games to teach turn-taking. Practical strategies for parents.

13 min readFeb 21, 2026

How to Help Your Child Calm Down During a Sensory Meltdown

Learn what sensory meltdowns are, how to recognize warning signs, and 8 practical calming strategies for autistic children. Includes tools, safe spaces, and prevention tips.

14 min readFeb 21, 2026

ADHD and Anger Outbursts: How to Help Your Child Manage Big Emotions

Learn why children with ADHD struggle with anger and emotional dysregulation. Discover practical strategies to manage outbursts, validate big feelings, and build long-term coping skills.

How to Help Your Autistic Child Make Friends: Practical Strategies That Work

Learn why autistic children struggle with friendships and discover evidence-based strategies to help your child build meaningful connections. Practical tips for social skills, playdates, and peer support.

13 min readFeb 21, 2026

ADHD Morning Routine: 8 Strategies That Actually Work

Morning routines are the hardest part of ADHD parenting. Try these 8 strategies — visual checklists, timers, night-before prep — to get out the door without meltdowns.

My Autistic Child Won't Brush Their Teeth: What Actually Helps

Discover why autistic children struggle with toothbrushing and get practical, sensory-friendly strategies that work. Includes product recommendations and when to seek OT support.

11 min readFeb 21, 2026

How to Prepare Your Autistic Child for the Dentist

Learn how to help your autistic child manage dental anxiety. Discover sensory-friendly strategies, social stories, and practical tips for a successful dentist visit.

How to Help Your Autistic Child Who Is Scared of the Doctor

Learn proven strategies to reduce medical anxiety in autistic children. Discover social stories, preparation tips, and communication techniques for doctor visits.

11 min readFeb 21, 2026

How to Get Through Haircuts When Your Child Has Autism

Learn why haircuts trigger sensory overload in autistic children and discover practical strategies, sensory-friendly stylists, and social stories to make haircuts easier.

11 min readFeb 21, 2026

Screen Time Limits for ADHD & Autism: What Works (Not Guilt)

Practical screen time strategies for kids with ADHD and autism. No shame, just what actually works — transition warnings, visual timers, replacement activities.

Autism Meltdown vs. Tantrum: Key Differences & What Actually Helps

Learn the key differences between autism meltdowns and tantrums, why they happen, and evidence-based strategies to support your child. Parent guide inside.

10 min readFeb 18, 2026

What Are Social Stories? The Complete Parent's Guide to Carol Gray's Method

Learn what social stories are and how Carol Gray's method helps children with autism, ADHD & anxiety navigate daily challenges. Includes practical examples.

12 min readFeb 18, 2026

How to Potty Train an Autistic Child Using Social Stories

Learn how to use social stories to potty train autistic children. Practical strategies, step-by-step guidance, and research-backed tips for parents.

11 min readFeb 18, 2026