Emily and Separation Anxiety: A Social Story for Children on the Autism Spectrum (share with your child)
Emily, as a little girl, had always been a bit of a homebody. She found comfort in the familiar surroundings of her own home and the presence of her parents. Any time she had to be away from them, even for a short while, she would become anxious and worrisome. One summer, when Emily was about ten years old, her parents decided to take a week-long vacation without her. They made arrangements for Emily to stay with her grandparents, who lived in a quiet, small town. Although Emily loved spending time with her grandparents and cousins, the thought of being away from her parents for that long filled her with dread. On the night before her parents were set to leave, Emily lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, with a mix of emotions. Her heart was racing, and her mind was filled with all sorts of worries. She kept thinking, "What if something goes wrong while they're away? What if I need them, and they're not there?" The thought of being away from her parents for an entire w
