Editable Elopement Social Story: Staying With My Grown-Up

What is included

• •One illustrated social story about staying close to a grown-up and stopping when called
• •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 elopement 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:

• the pull to run when something looks fun or a place gets too loud
• what staying close means: seeing each other the whole time
• holding a grown-up's hand or keeping a hand on the cart
• what "Stop" means: feet still, right where they are
• asking for a break or to go see something, with words or a card
• how staying together means fun outings and getting home safe

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

When to read an elopement social story

Read it at a calm time at home, a day or two before an outing that is hard for your child: the grocery store, a busy park, a parking lot, or a new place. Read it again in the car before you go in, and once more after an outing where your child stayed close or stopped when called, so the story is tied to a real success.

How to read the elopement 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. Practice the "Stop" page as a game at home: say "Stop," freeze, and celebrate every freeze.
5. Give your child a real break card that matches the story, and honor it when they use it.

Elopement social story questions

What is an elopement social story?

An elopement social story is a short illustrated story, in the approach developed by Carol Gray, that helps a child who runs or wanders off. It describes busy places, staying close, stopping when called, and asking for a break with words, so the skills feel familiar before the next outing.

Can a social story stop my child from wandering?

No story replaces supervision, locks, alarms, or an ID plan. A social story is one teaching tool among several: it gives a calm, repeated picture of what to do instead of running. The National Autism Association recommends social stories about staying with a trusted adult as part of a wider safety plan.

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: I stay close, and I stop when my grown-up says stop. Both are included in this elopement social story, so you can choose the one that fits your child.

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, swap in photos of your own store or park, and change any sentence, such as the words your child uses to ask for a break.

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.