For many children with special needs, change is stressful. The unknown? Even more so. Emergencies bring loud sounds, sudden transitions, unfamiliar people, and disrupted routines — all of which can overwhelm a child who thrives on predictability.
That’s where social stories and visual schedules come in. These simple tools can help your child feel calmer, safer, and more prepared — even in the face of chaos.
👉 Looking for a full toolkit to protect your family in a crisis? Start with our Special Needs Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Why These Tools Work
Social stories and visual schedules are effective tools because they turn abstract events into concrete, manageable steps. These tools offer predictability in unfamiliar situations, emotional safety through preparation, and clear communication for nonverbal or developmentally delayed children. The repetition of these tools helps solidify expectations, making it easier for your child to understand what’s coming and what’s expected of them. When your child has a clear understanding of the situation, they’re more likely to stay calm and feel secure, which can make a big difference in handling emergencies.
What Is a Social Story?
A social story is a short, personalized narrative that helps a child understand and navigate a specific situation by breaking it down into manageable steps, using simple language and visuals. Originally developed for children with autism, social stories are now widely used for children with anxiety, sensory issues, or developmental delays. They are particularly helpful because they provide structure and clarity, helping children feel more in control of uncertain situations. A Disaster Preparedness Social Story might include:
- What a disaster is: An age-appropriate explanation of what constitutes a disaster, such as a storm, fire, or earthquake.
- What might happen: Descriptions of events they may experience, such as hearing sirens, seeing emergency workers, or going to a shelter for safety.
- Who they’ll see: Information on the people they might encounter during an emergency, such as emergency workers, neighbors, or family members, to help reduce fear of unfamiliar faces.
- What they’ll do: Clear, simple statements that describe what the child will do during the emergency, such as, “I will stay with my family. I will pack my headphones. I will be safe.”
- Reassuring language: Positive, comforting statements like, “People are here to help me. I will be okay,” which can help calm the child’s nerves and instill a sense of security.
By walking the child through these steps and offering reassurance, social stories give them the tools they need to feel safe and prepared during emergencies, reducing confusion and anxiety.
What Is a Visual Schedule?
A visual schedule uses images or icons to represent the steps in a process. It’s a great way to show:
- The steps of an evacuation (“Pack bag → Get shoes → Go to car”)
- What to do during a storm (“Close windows → Sit in safe place → Play a quiet game”)
- What to expect at a shelter (“Check in → Sit with family → Eat snack”)
- Calming routines when feeling overwhelmed
These can be printed and laminated or built into apps or AAC devices.
How to Create Your Own Tools
You don’t need to be a graphic designer. You just need to know your child.
For Social Stories:
- Use simple, reassuring language
- Choose 1–2 ideas per page
- Add photos or basic clip art
- Print it out and read it often
- Keep a laminated copy in your go-bag
For Visual Schedules:
For visual schedules, consider using Velcro, magnets, or dry-erase boards to make them easy to update and adapt as needed. Whenever possible, incorporate pictures from real life to make the schedule more relatable and clear for your child. Practice using the schedule during calm moments to help them become familiar with it, and pair it with a timer, checklist, or a favorite reward to reinforce positive behavior. If you need to evacuate, be sure to bring the schedule with you to maintain structure and help your child feel more secure in an unfamiliar environment.
Tip: Let your child help create the schedule or decorate their social story book — it helps them feel ownership and confidence.
Practice Makes It Stick
Repetition is key to helping children process and retain what they learn, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness. You can try reading the social story at bedtime to reinforce the information, practicing your emergency routine once a month to ensure your child is familiar with the steps, or role-playing with dolls, action figures, or siblings to make the practice more engaging. Additionally, using stories to reflect on past emergencies can be helpful, such as saying, “Remember when the power went out? You did such a great job using your flashlight!” These practices create consistency and help your child feel more confident and prepared when faced with a real emergency.
Free Download: Sample Social Story & Visual Schedule Template
We’ve created an easy-to-use sample story and printable visual schedule template to help you get started today.
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