Getting My Shot at the Doctor
Maya visits the doctor for a vaccination. The story explains why shots help keep her healthy, what to expect during the visit, and specific coping strategies she can use during the procedure.
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Read the Story
8 pages · 6 min read read
Show text
Read the Story
8 pages · 6 min read read
Today I am going to the doctor. Mama is coming with me. Dr. Chen works at the doctor's office.
The nurse calls my name. We walk to the examination room. The room is clean and bright.
Dr. Chen comes in. She listens to my heart with a stethoscope. It tickles a little bit.
Dr. Chen tells me about my shot. The shot helps my body stay strong and healthy because it teaches my body how to fight germs.
Mama holds my hand. I take a deep breath in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, and breathe out for 4 counts. I picture my favorite pink flower in my head.
The shot is very quick. It feels like a tiny pinch. After the shot, Dr. Chen puts a flower bandage on my arm.
I did it! My body is now stronger because the shot helped it learn how to stay healthy. Mama gives me a hug.
I am proud of myself. Getting a shot helps me stay healthy so I can play and grow strong.
Social Story Methodology
Why This Story Works
Getting My Shot at the Doctor uses concrete sensory descriptions and a predictable sequence to demystify a medical procedure that often triggers anxiety in children with autism and ADHD. By naming the nurse, Dr. Chen, and specific sensations (the stethoscope tickles, the shot feels like a tiny pinch), the story follows Carol Gray's principle of describing the social and physical reality in clear, literal language. The breathing technique and hand-holding on pages 5-6 give your child concrete coping strategies to use during the actual appointment, transforming an unpredictable event into a manageable sequence.
Story Structure
How It's Written
Sentence Types
Voice & Perspective
Story Structure
Practical Guidance
Ways to Use This Story
Read Before the Appointment
Practice the Breathing Technique
Bring a Photo or Comfort Item
Celebrate the Bandage and Effort
Revisit the Story After the Visit
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