Editable Asking for Help Social Story

What is included

• •One illustrated social story about asking for help when something is hard
• •A gentle wording that describes far more than it instructs, and a firmer direct wording
• •Four child looks: a boy or a girl, with light or dark skin
• •Half-page booklets in wide and tall pages, in US Letter and A4
• •Blank write-in booklets in US Letter and A4, for the stories only you can write
• •A guide with a printed link and QR code for each wording that opens your copy in the free Social Story Maker

What the asking for help social story says

The gentle wording is eight pages long, one picture and one short sentence on each page, told in the child's own voice. The first two pages read:

The pages after that cover:

• feeling frustrated and wanting to cry or give up
• who helpers are: a grown-up at home and a teacher at school
• saying "Help, please" or showing a help card
• waiting a moment when the helper is busy
• taking a deep breath first when it is too hard to talk
• how hard things get easier with help

The direct wording says the same things in seven pages, with the expectation stated plainly.

When to read an asking for help social story

Read it at a calm time, before the tasks that usually end in tears or a thrown toy: getting dressed, homework, a new puzzle, or a lunchbox that will not open. Read it again just before a hard task, and once more after your child asked for help, so the story is tied to a real success.

How to read the asking for help social story with your child

1. Start with the gentle wording; switch to the direct one if your child does best with a plain rule.
2. Print the child look that matches your child, and write their name on the cover.
3. Read one page at a time, pointing to the picture before you read the sentence.
4. Make a real help card or use your child's AAC help symbol, and practice handing it over.
5. Answer every request quickly at first, so asking for help works better than giving up.

Asking for help social story questions

What is an asking for help social story?

An asking for help social story is a short illustrated story, in the approach developed by Carol Gray, that shows a child what to do when something is hard: notice the feeling, find a helper, and say "Help, please" or show a help card. Reading it at calm times builds the habit before frustration hits.

Who is this story for?

It suits preschool and early elementary children who melt down, give up, or wait silently when a task is hard, including children who use AAC or picture cards. The story names a help card, so a child who is not yet speaking can follow every page with their own card.

What is the difference between the gentle and the direct wording?

The gentle wording mostly describes what happens and how it feels, with two coaching sentences. The direct wording states the expectation plainly: when something is hard, I ask for help. Both wordings come in this asking for help social story, so you can pick the one that fits.

Can I personalize the story?

Yes. The guide prints a link and a QR code for each wording that opens the story in the free Social Story Maker. You can add your child's name, change the examples to the tasks that are hard for your child, and use their real help card or AAC symbol on the page.

What formats and paper sizes are included?

One ZIP with print-ready PDFs in US Letter and A4: the story in four child looks, each in wide and tall booklet pages and in both wordings, plus blank write-in booklets and the guide. Print at actual size, cut each sheet in half along the dashed line, stack the pages in order and staple the left edge.

How do I receive the files, and can I use them with my whole class?

Delivery is instant: checkout unlocks the download and emails you the link, and the pack stays in your My Resources library. It is licensed for personal and single-classroom use. Because it is a digital download, all sales are final; if a file will not open, email info@spectrumunlocked.com and Spectrum Unlocked will fix it.