Going to the Doctor: A Free Social Story
For children ages 3-8 · Free to read, print, and personalize
Routine check-ups go more smoothly when a child can predict each step, from the scale to the stethoscope. This story is useful before annual physicals, specialist visits, or school-entry exams. It is a favorite among parents of children with medical anxiety.
Going to the Doctor
Sometimes I go to the doctor for a check-up.
A check-up helps the doctor make sure my body is healthy and growing.
In the waiting room, I wait with my grown-up until someone calls my name.
A nurse may measure how tall I am and how much I weigh.
The doctor looks in my ears and eyes with a small light. It does not hurt.
The doctor listens to my heart with a stethoscope. It might feel a little cold.
The doctor may ask me to take big breaths or say "ahh."
I can ask questions about anything the doctor does.
Some kids feel worried at the doctor. That is a normal feeling.
My grown-up stays with me the whole time.
When the check-up is over, we get to go home.
Going to the doctor helps me stay healthy and strong.
Tips for Reading This Story Together
- Play doctor at home with a toy medical kit, acting out each step from the story in the same order.
- Tell your child honestly whether shots are expected; discovering a surprise shot destroys trust for future visits.
- Bring a comfort item and a quiet activity for the waiting room, where anxiety often builds the most.
- Ask for the first appointment of the day to minimize waiting and keep the visit short.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare a child with autism for a doctor visit?
Preview every step with this story, rehearse with a toy doctor kit, and tell the office in advance so they can reduce wait time and sensory load. Bring headphones and a comfort item. The free builder can personalize the story with your child's name and their actual doctor to make it concrete.
Should I tell my child ahead of time that they are going to the doctor?
Yes, for most kids a day or two of notice works well: enough to prepare, not enough to build dread. Springing the visit on an anxious child usually backfires at the next appointment. Use the story as the way you break the news calmly.
What if my child melts down in the waiting room?
Ask the front desk if you can wait in the car or hallway until the room is ready; most offices will text or call you. A visual timer or a favorite activity also shrinks the hardest stretch. If waiting rooms are a consistent trigger, note it in the patient file so staff plan for it.
Make This Story About Your Child
Add your child's name, family members, and favorite things — our free builder creates an illustrated, printable version of this story that is truly theirs. The story world and learning goals are already set up for you. Built by the nonprofit Opportunity Hack, always free.
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