Social Story About Waiting (Free & Printable)

Waiting is invisible work. For a young child, “in a minute” has no shape and no end, so waiting can feel like forever. Children with ADHD or autism often find waiting especially difficult, and the frustration can show up as shouting, grabbing or leaving the line.

This social story gives waiting a shape. It explains when people wait, what to do with your body and mind while waiting, and that waiting always ends.

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I Can Wait

My name is Max. Every day there are times when I need to wait.
1
I wait in line at school, at the store and at the doctor’s office.
2
I wait for my snack, for my turn on the slide, and for grown-ups to finish talking.
3
Waiting can feel long and boring. Sometimes I feel wiggly or grumpy.
4
While I wait, I can count to ten, sing a song in my head, or look for colors around me.
5
I can keep my hands to myself and my feet on the floor.
6
If there is a timer, I can watch it count down.
7
Waiting always ends. Then it is my turn!
8
When I wait calmly, grown-ups and friends are proud of me. I am a good waiter!
9

Why this social story helps

The most useful part of this story is the list of things to do while waiting. Children do not wait well by simply “being patient”. They wait well when they have a task. Counting, singing and color-spotting give the mind something to do, and “waiting always ends” gives reassurance.

How to use this social story

Print the story (two pages per sheet works well) or show it on a tablet.
Read it together once a day during a calm time, for at least a few days before the situation.
Read it again just before the situation happens, and keep a copy nearby as a reminder.
Swap the name and details for your child, or add real photos, so it matches their world.

What makes this a good social story

This story follows the social story approach described by Carol Gray. It is written from the child’s point of view, uses short and literal sentences, and spends most of its words describing the situation and how people feel. Only a few sentences gently suggest what to do, and they use “I can” instead of “I must”. The story names a difficult feeling as normal and ends on an encouraging note, so the child links the situation with calm and confidence rather than with being told off.

Tips for parents and teachers

Practice waiting in short, successful bursts at home (“wait for the count of five”).
Keep a small “waiting kit” in your bag: a fidget, a picture card, or a tiny book.
Use a visual timer and gradually increase the waiting time.
Tell the child how long the wait will be in concrete terms (“after two people”).
Praise the waiting itself, not just the end result.

Questions to talk about after reading

Where do you have to wait?
What can you do while you wait?
Where do your hands and feet go when you wait in line?
What happens when waiting is over?

Personalize this story

Add your child’s name and age and we will rewrite the story just for them. It’s free.