For autistic and SEND children, and the grown-ups who help them
Made for children who need to know what to expect.
Little Steps
The night before a new experience can bring a lot of questions. Little Steps helps your autistic or SEND child explore what will happen, step by step, before the day arrives.
14-day money-back guarantee
- New stories every week
- Parent Guide included
- Research-backed approach
Does this feel familiar?
Sometimes, the hardest part of a new experience isn't the experience itself. It's not knowing what to expect.
Getting a haircut
The buzzing clippers, unfamiliar sensations, and not knowing what will happen next. Sometimes, the worry starts before the haircut even begins.
Going to the dentist
New people, unfamiliar sounds, and equipment that may feel intimidating. It can be difficult to picture what will happen once you sit in the chair.
Changes in routine
A different place, a different plan, or something new in the calendar. Even everyday changes can take preparation.
You want to help your child feel prepared.
With Little Steps, your child can see where you're going, who you'll meet, how you'll get there and what will happen, step by step, so the day feels more familiar before it arrives.
See how it worksSee how Little Steps works
Preview the story
Free preview: Getting a Haircut · Lucas · travelling by car
Visual story
Getting a Haircut
Step 1 · This is me
This is me. My name is Lucas.
For grown-ups: Read slowly and point to each picture. Your child can join in with the words they know.
Quick preparation summary
“First, I sit on the big chair. Second, the cape goes on. Third, my hair gets wet. Fourth, snip, snip! If I feel worried, I take a big breath. Then it is all done.”
Parent Guide · included in the kit
A little preparation can make the next step clearer.
The Parent Guide helps you introduce a story, read it together and talk about what's coming, at your child's pace. Here's what it covers.
- What is a visual story?
- When should I read the story?
- How do I read it together?
- Make the story fit your child
- What if my child has questions or feels worried?
- Before, during and after the experience
- What if things change?
- A note for parents and caregivers
“I've got a story about going to the dentist next week. Shall we look at it together? We can stop whenever you like.”
The full Parent Guide comes with the Complete Kit.
Preparation plan · included in the kit
Getting ready for the haircut
Each story comes with a short before-the-day plan, matched to your situation and how you're travelling.
Your choices: Getting a Haircut · Lucas · travelling by car
- Look at the story together at a calm moment, if your child finds it useful.
- Check the day, time and place, and whether anything has changed.
5 more steps in your full plan, plus what to do during and after the day
Made for how your child sees the world
Many children find new information easier to take in when it's visual, predictable and broken into small steps. Every Little Steps story is built that way, so the format stays familiar even when the situation is new.
- One picture, one sentence
- Steps in the order they happen
- Calm, uncluttered pictures
- Short, literal words
- Familiar British places
- The same shape every time
Ready when you need it
Specific situations, not general advice
All 8 in the kit · 1 free to try
- Full kit
Dentist
Unlock: Dentist - Free to try
Hairdresser
See the story: Hairdresser - Full kit
New Teacher
Unlock: New Teacher - Full kit
Doctor
Unlock: Doctor - Full kit
School Trip
Unlock: School Trip - Full kit
Airport
Unlock: Airport - Full kit
Birthday Party
Unlock: Birthday Party - Full kit
New Place
Unlock: New Place
+ New stories every week, 40+ planned
The research
Built on a recognised approach
Social narratives are listed as an evidence-based practice for autistic children in a major review of 28 years of research.
NCAEP, 2020(opens in a new tab)In a UK trial with 249 autistic children, those given Social Stories™ met their own social and emotional goals more often.
ASSSIST-2, 2024(opens in a new tab)
Important notes
- The research is about social narratives and Social Stories™ in general. Little Steps stories follow the principles of social narratives but have not been clinically tested, and we don't promise any particular outcome.
- Social Stories™ is a trademark of Carol Gray. Little Steps is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Carol Gray.
- Little Steps is not therapy, a treatment or a medical product, and it doesn't replace advice from professionals who know your child.
You're not alone
What parents say about social stories
“They were effective in reducing anxiety and helping situations feel more predictable.”
Parent
“Social stories have been particularly useful in preparing him for experiences such as dental appointments and road trips.”
Parent
“These stories have made a significant positive difference for my daughter.”
Parent
What's included
Everything you need, in one kit
Founding family offer
Little Steps Complete Kit
- 8 visual stories, new ones every week
- Choose the character and the journey
- For phone, tablet or computer
- The Little Steps Parent Guide Bonus
- A prep plan for every story Bonus
- Quick Prep summaries Bonus
£9.99one-off
Founding price. £14.99 when the library is complete.
14-day money-back guarantee
Parent Guide
BonusHow to talk with your child about what's coming
- What a visual story is, and what it isn't
- When to introduce a story
- How to read it together
- Making the story fit your child
+ 4 more sections
Who is Little Steps designed for?
Parents and caregivers of young autistic children and children with special educational needs (SEND) who find it helpful to know what will happen before something new. Any child who prepares best when they can see what's coming may find it useful. Every child is different, so use the stories in the way that suits yours.
How do social stories work?
A social story describes an everyday situation in short sentences and clear pictures, in the order things usually happen, so a child can explore it before they experience it. Little Steps stories follow these principles. They're ready-made, rather than written individually for one child.
How should I introduce a story?
Look at it together before the day, at a calm moment, one step at a time. Let your child look and respond in their own way, and come back to it if it helps. The Parent Guide walks you through this, including what to say and how to answer questions.
Can a story guarantee that my child will feel calm?
No. No story can guarantee that, and every child responds differently. Little Steps is a way to show your child what may happen beforehand. It isn't therapy, a treatment or a medical product, it has not been clinically tested, and it doesn't replace advice from professionals who know your child.
What's included in the kit?
Step-by-step visual stories for 8 everyday situations now, with new stories added every week until the library reaches 40+. You choose the character and how you travel. You also get the Parent Guide, a preparation plan for every story and Quick Prep summaries. Everything works on a phone, tablet or computer.
How does access work?
Checkout is opening soon. Before you pay, we'll confirm exactly how you'll access your stories and guide. Until then, you're welcome to explore the free story on this page.
Is it a one-off payment?
Yes. You pay £9.99 once, with no subscription. As a founding family, you also get every new story we add at no extra cost. When the full library is complete, the price will rise to £14.99 for new customers.
What if it isn't right for us?
Every purchase comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If Little Steps isn't right for your family, email us within 14 days and we'll refund you in full, no questions asked.
Something new coming up?
Whatever is coming up next, you don't have to explain it alone. Give your child a calm way to explore it first.
Get Founding Access — £9.9914-day money-back guarantee