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 week was daunting, and she didn't know how she would cope.

The next morning, when Emily's parents hugged her tightly before saying goodbye, she tried to hold back her tears, but they streamed down her face. She felt like a part of her was being ripped away from her, and she didn't know how she was going to survive without them. But as the days went on, Emily started to adjust to her new surroundings. She spent time with her grandparents, went on small adventures with her cousins, and enjoyed the simple pleasures of small-town life.

Although she still missed her parents terribly, Emily started to realize that she was stronger than she thought. She learned that she could adapt to new situations and that she had the courage to face new challenges, even when her parents weren't there to guide her. When her parents finally returned from their trip, Emily was overjoyed to see them. She ran into their arms, feeling like she had been reunited with a part of herself that had been missing. But she also felt proud of herself for having made it through the week on her own.

From then on, Emily still struggled with being away from her parents, but she knew that she was capable of handling it. She had learned that life was full of challenges and that she could face them with courage and determination.

Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 

==> How to Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

==> Launching Adult Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Teaching Social-Skills and Emotion-Management to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Parents' Comprehensive Handbook

==> Unraveling the Mystery Behind High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book