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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety Guide

ASERT has compiled resources for those with autism and those who care for people with autism relating to the current COVID-19 outbreak.

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Not Feeling Well Social Story

Overview

This social story, developed by ASERT, describes how and when to tell someone when you are sick. An animated social story is also included.

A boy coughing.

Feeling sick happens to everyone. Sometimes I feel sick.

A boy frowning and shivering.

I may feel sick when something is not right with my body.

A boy crying.

My stomach might ache or I might feel nauseous.

A boy with pain in his throat and sneezing.

I might have a sore throat, or I might cough or sneeze.

A boy with pain in his head.

I might have a headache, body chills, or "shivers," or my body might feel very hot.

A boy sweating and frowning while looking at a thermometer.

I can use a thermometer if I feel any of these things to see if I have a fever. I have a fever if the number on the thermometer is 100.4 degrees or higher.

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A boy with a neutral expression, looking at a plate of pizza, a basketball, and a TV.

If I am too sick to do the things I usually do, I should tell someone.

A male adult, a male doctor, and a friendly girl.

I can tell an adult, a friend, or a medical professional, like a doctor.

A boy on the phone saying,

I can tell them how my body is feeling so they know how to help me.

A boy typing 'throat and head hurts' on his laptop.

If I can't talk about how I'm feeling, I can type on my phone or computer, or I can use pictures.

A boy frowning with pain in his throat.

I can also point to parts of my body that hurt or feel uncomfortable.

A boy being examined by a doctor wearing a mask with a tongue depressor.

Sometimes when I'm feeling sick, I might have to go to the doctor.

A boy telling his doctor about the pain in his head.

The doctor will ask me questions and touch parts of my body to help me.

A boy explaining,

I may have to repeat things so the doctor can understand what I'm feeling.

A boy with pain frowning and saying,

It is okay to repeat myself or ask my doctor questions if I don't understand.

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A doctor wearing a mask and gloves holding a picture of COVID-19 with the words 'Stay Home' under it.

Right now, some people are getting sick with a virus, called COVID-19, or coronavirus.

A woman coughing.

Some people only feel a little sick. They might have a sore throat, muscle pain, diarrhea, or a stomach ache.

A woman talking to a friend.

If I feel like this, I should tell a parent, friend, or doctor.

A woman feeling sick and sweating.

Some people who get this virus feel very sick. They have a fever or a cough, and they can have a very hard time breathing.

A woman talking on the phone.

If I feel very sick like this, I need to tell a parent, or doctor right away.

A woman staying at her home on her couch with a plant beside her.

I should stay in my home until my doctor tells me it’s okay so I do not give other people this sickness.

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Animated Social Story


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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.