Social story kits that prepare kids for challenging situationsbefore they happen.

Printable stories, visuals and stickers that show children with autism and other developmental differences exactly what to expect at the dentist, the doctor, at home and at school. Written by speech-language pathologist Heather McKay.

Find your kit Meet Heather

114 kits on four shelves · most $8 · digital download

Browse every Medical/Dental kit

Start with the moment you're worried about

Going to the Doctor kit: the boy and girl versions of the story booklet, side by side — The Going to the Doctor kit comes in a boy and a girl version.

More than a story: everything for before, during and after

Children feel anxious when they don't know what will happen. Every kit makes one situation predictable, then celebrates your child for getting through it.

What a kit includes

A story about the eventexplains, in simple positive words and pictures, what will happen and what your child will do.
Visuals to use during itpicture cards, a First/Then board and, in newer kits, a checklist your child crosses off step by step.
A celebration storya short story to read afterwards that names the positive thing your child did.
Stickers and a sticker chartprintable on labels, to reward effort and success.
An implementation guidetips for parents and teachers on using the kit before, during and after.
A Boy or Girl versionon many kits, so the child in the story looks more like your child.

See the doctor kit · $10 Find your kit

Heather McKay, author of Positively Prepared, smiling in glasses — Heather McKay

Written by a speech-language pathologist who has been there

Heather McKay is a speech-language pathologist who works with children in schools. She is also a survivor of childhood cancer.

“I understand the anxiety that children and parents go through when experiencing medical procedures and treatments.”

Working with her students, Heather has seen first-hand how powerful these stories are at easing a child's anxiety and helping them reach a positive behavior. She brought her own childhood experience and her professional skill in writing social narratives together to create Positively Prepared.

Read Heather's story

What parents, teachers and a dentist say

I pass these books out to my patients so they feel good about coming to the dentist.
Dr. Susan Cable, DDS Dentist
These stories have helped my son when he had to have surgery. He knew what to expect several days before the surgery, which made my anxiety less the day of the surgery.
Nicola S. Parent
Heather worked with my autistic daughter for several years of her early life, during which she often put together stories to help her through both small and big changes. The stories helped my daughter through so many things, including learning to use the bathroom, interacting with her peers, and the big transition from elementary to middle school.
Katie Burke Parent
Heather's stories take a skill or situation and break it down into simple, easily understood steps. I use these stories to ease anxiety and prepare my special education student for new situations or guide them through positive behavior.
Cathy Schmitz Special Education Teacher
These stories have been one of the most impactful methods to change a student's learning and behavior trajectories in my 30 years of teaching. The student feels in control of tough moments and can get back to the important job of being a kid.
Chris Vasarella Classroom Teacher
The pictures in the stories are so helpful, as well as the wording. It is nice because I can use these stories over and over.
Haley Jensen Teacher of ASD

Calmer kids, calmer grown-ups

When you've prepared your child, your own worry eases too, and children feed off adult energy. Find the kit for what's coming up next.