Autism Teen - I feel worried Social Story for Autism Special Education

When I Feel Worried: A Neuroaffirmative Social Story & Worry Action Cards for Autistic Teens - 18 Page Resource

This is a digital product.

Created by Amanda McGuinness of Little Puddins – Autism & Visual Supports Specialist – this neuroaffirmative resource supports Autistic teens in understanding, identifying, and responding to different types of worry. Rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm and designed with lived experience in mind, this engaging social story and set of visual action cards help build emotional literacy, validate internal experiences, and offer practical self-support strategies without framing worry as a problem to be "fixed."

What’s Inside the Resource?

• Full-page illustrated social story exploring:
  • What worry is
  • Three types of worry (Helpful, Unhelpful, Overwhelming)
  • How worry affects thoughts, body, and emotions
  • What Autistic teens can do when they feel worried
  
• Printable Worry Action Cards that include:
  • Visual step-by-step support strategies
  • Breathing prompts
  • Sensory calming ideas
  • Emotion-naming supports
  • Questions to guide reflection
  
• Clear, teen-friendly design that supports Autistic processing
  
• Ideal for use at home, in therapy sessions, or in inclusive classroom environments
  

Skills This Resource Supports:

• Emotional identification and self-awareness
  
• Coping and self-regulation
  
• Visual communication and comprehension
  
• Emotional validation and internal reassurance
  
• Understanding of internal emotional states in a respectful and affirming way
  

Who Is This Resource For?

• Autistic teens (no age-specific labels – inclusive for all developmental stages)
  
• Parents and caregivers supporting Autistic adolescents
  
• Educators and SNAs in secondary school or SEN settings
  
• Therapists and mental health professionals
  
• Youth workers in inclusive or neurodivergent settings
  

Why Families & Professionals Love It:

• Created by a trusted Autistic Autism Specialist
  
• Validates worry as a natural experience, not a deficit
  
• Promotes autonomy and choice in self-regulation
  
• Uses plain language and visuals to support understanding
  
• Encourages co-regulation, connection, and empowerment
  
• Non compliance language – 100% neuroaffirmative