Inappropriate Touching Social Story
- Year groups
- Not year specific
- Pages
- 18
- File type
- Preparation
- Print ready
- Subject
- Social Skills, Special Resources
- Topic
- Social Story, Autism
- Preparation
- Print ready
From the author
About this resource
The Inappropriate Touch Social Story utilizes a gentle approach to teach children about respecting personal boundaries. Some young students attempt inappropriate touching due to curiosity, poor impulse control, or lack of social awareness. This research-backed narrative uses simple language and images to provide clear guidelines for appropriate touch. The story defines private body parts and explains they are not for touching others. Examples of permitted touches like hand-holding and high-fives are also shared.
Social stories outline social rules in a concrete manner children comprehend. For those prone to inappropriate behaviours, this story gives situational expectations and helpful alternatives. It reduces anxiety around peer interactions by detailing proper conduct. The story reassures children that with practice, they can learn to touch appropriately.
Teachers, counselors, and parents can utilize this story to shape perspectives on personal space and consent. It fosters self-regulation skills children need to curb impulsive behaviours. The social narrative format delivers direct guidance without shame or stigma. For children requiring extra support with social cues, this story teaches appropriate touch in an understandable, uplifting way. It helps set children up for success in relationships by giving them the knowledge and tools to interact safely and respectfully with others.
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
State the rule that private parts, covered by underwear or a swimsuit, are not for touching other people
Identify acceptable alternative touches or greetings, such as a handshake, high five, or wave
Recognize that touching another person's private parts can make that person feel uncomfortable, upset, or angry
Teaching tips
Read the story through twice at first, then revisit it regularly — the guide notes that reading it only once or twice is a common mistake that undermines its effect.
Read it in a quiet, one-on-one setting with the child, free of distractions, as the guide recommends.
If the story addresses a specific behaviour, read it when that behaviour occurs, but avoid using it as a punishment.
Build the story into the child's daily schedule and pair it with regular praise to keep the experience positive.
Skills covered
Personal-boundary recognition — the child learns which body areas are private and are not for touching other people.
Social-consequence understanding — the child connects touching another person's private parts to that person feeling uncomfortable, upset, or angry.
Appropriate-touch alternatives — the child practices substituting a handshake, high five, or wave for inappropriate touch.
Good to know
Questions teachers ask about this resource
What alternative touches does the story teach in place of inappropriate touch?
A handshake, a high five, or simply waving hello — the story presents these as the OK options right before repeating that touching another person's private areas is never OK.
Does the story explain why the rule matters, or just state it?
Both — after stating the rule, the story explains the effect on the other person, that they might feel uncomfortable, upset, or angry, before moving to acceptable alternatives.
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Resource details
Concepts & topics
Core concepts
Core concepts
Personal boundaries
Appropriate touch
Body safety
Social story
Topics
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