Hugs Social Story
- Grades
- Not Grade Specific
- File type
- Preparation
- Print ready
- Subject
- Special Resources, Social Skills
- Topic
- social story, autism
- Preparation
- Print ready
About this resource
What's inside this resource
Social stories use a patient and reassuring tone to teach children about social situations in a way that can be easily understood. Social stories are particularly useful for children on the autistic spectrum for whom social cues can be challenging and who often suffer anxiety if they do not know what to expect from a situation however social stories can also be useful for any child who is struggling to understand a situation or concept or needs help to understand a social skill or social cue, expectations, perspectives, common responses or is troubled about an upcoming event.
This social story is about hugging, explaining to children that hugs are not always appropriate and that some people do not like to be hugged.
These books should be used over and over to reinforce the point so I would suggest either putting the pages into a display book or laminating and binding them.
Clipart images courtesy of Kari Bolt.
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In the classroom
Teaching tips & learning objectives
Learning objectives
Recognize that hugging is one way to show care, but that not everyone welcomes physical touch.
Practice asking permission before hugging someone.
Identify a high five or hand-holding as an alternative way to show affection when a hug may not be wanted.
Teaching tips
Choose the American ('mom') or British/Commonwealth ('mum') spelling version to match the vocabulary your students already use.
Read the story alongside a real practice round of asking permission for a hug, so students connect the narrative to the actual social script.
Pair this with a broader personal-space lesson, since the story explicitly distinguishes hugging from other touch options like a high five or holding hands.
Skills covered
Social awareness — students learn that people vary in their comfort with physical touch and personal space.
Consent language — the story models asking whether someone wants to be hugged before hugging them.
Alternative social gestures — students learn a high five and hand-holding as touch options when a hug isn't appropriate.
Good to know
Questions teachers ask about this resource
What alternatives to hugging does the story suggest?
The story offers a high five or holding hands as ways to show you like someone when a hug might not be welcome.
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Resource details
Concepts & topics
Core concepts
Core concepts
Personal space
Consent
Social story
Physical touch boundaries
Topics
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