Description
Doctor visits can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming for many children. Waiting rooms, new environments, and medical equipment can create anxiety—especially for students who benefit from predictable routines and visual supports.
This Going to the Doctor Social Story and Companion Activity Pack helps children understand what happens during a doctor visit while building confidence and reducing fear.
In this story, siblings Ava and Eli visit the doctor and learn that doctors and nurses help keep our bodies healthy. The story gently explains what children might see, hear, and experience during a medical appointment.
Through clear language and supportive visuals, children learn that doctor visits are safe and that medical professionals are there to help.
This resource was created by a former special educator and autism parent to support children who benefit from explicit instruction, visual learning, and structured preparation for new experiences.
What’s Included Social Story
A complete social narrative explaining a doctor visit in a calm and predictable way.
• Why we go to the doctor • What happens during a doctor visit • Who works at the doctor’s office • What tools doctors use to check our health • How doctors help keep our bodies strong and healthy • What children can do if they feel nervous
The story models a positive experience while helping children understand what to expect during a medical appointment.
The companion activities reinforce understanding and help children process the experience of visiting a doctor.
• Parent and teacher guide • Reflection questions about doctor visits • Identifying doctor tools and equipment • Health and body awareness activities • Comprehension worksheets • Interactive activities for discussion • Coloring pages • Reflection page for students to share their experience
These activities help children build familiarity with medical visits and reduce anxiety about future appointments.
This resource supports development of:
• Social understanding • Emotional regulation • Health awareness • Life skills • Following routines • Communication skills • Self-confidence
IEP Goals This Resource May Support Social Skills Goals
Student will demonstrate understanding of community helpers and their roles.
Student will identify steps involved in attending a medical appointment.
Student will answer comprehension questions about a health-related routine.
Emotional Regulation Goals
Student will identify feelings related to new experiences and develop coping strategies.
Student will demonstrate increased comfort with structured community routines.
• Autism classrooms • Special education classrooms • Early childhood classrooms • Occupational therapy sessions • Speech therapy sessions • Social skills groups • Parents preparing children for doctor visits
Especially helpful for students who:
• experience anxiety about medical appointments • benefit from visual supports and structured preparation • need help understanding community routines
This is a digital download.
• Printable Social Story PDF • Printable Companion Activity Pack
Teachers often use these pages in:
• life skills lessons • social skills instruction • calm corners • home preparation before medical visits
Adventures of Ava & Eli series © AvaHasAutism All rights reserved.
This resource includes symbols from Boardmaker® Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). Boardmaker PCS © Tobii Dynavox, LLC. Used with permission.
