Leo loved playing with his toy cars. He could spend hours lining them up in perfect rows, making them race across the floor.
He liked the way the wheels rolled smoothly and the colors of the cars when they were all arranged neatly.
But when he saw other kids playing together at the park, he felt unsure.
“I want to play too,” Leo thought.
“But what if they don’t want to play with me? What if I don’t know what to say?”
Leo sometimes felt nervous in social situations. He liked routines and knowing what would happen next.
But making friends didn’t come with clear instructions—at least, not yet.
His mom noticed him watching the other kids from a distance and gave him a gentle smile.
“You can make friends, Leo. Just take it one step at a time.”
Leo didn’t know there were steps to making friends! He was curious.
Maybe making friends was like learning a new game, where he just needed to understand the rules.
That day, Leo learned five important steps that would help him feel more confident about making friends.
Step 1: Saying Hello – The First Step to Friendship
One sunny afternoon, Leo’s mom took him to the park again.
This time, instead of watching from the sidelines, Leo saw a boy named Jake building a sandcastle.
Leo really liked sandcastles.
He wanted to play too, but he didn’t know how to start a conversation.
Then he remembered something his teacher had told him:
💡 “When you want to talk to someone, start by saying hello.”
That seemed easy enough! Leo took a deep breath, walked up to Jake, and said, “Hi, my name is Leo.”
Jake looked up and smiled. “Hi, Leo! I’m Jake. Want to help me build a castle?”
Leo nodded happily. He picked up a small plastic shovel and started helping.
Saying hello was the first step to making a friend, and it worked!
Step 2: Asking to Join – Being Part of the Fun
After playing in the sand, Leo noticed a group of kids playing with toy dinosaurs near the playground.
He loved dinosaurs! He knew the names of so many—Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor. He really wanted to play, but he wasn’t sure if they would let him.
Leo felt nervous. “What if they say no?” he wondered.
Then he remembered another helpful tip:
💡 “If you want to play with others, ask nicely.”
Leo gathered his courage and said, “Can I play too?”
One of the kids smiled and said, “Sure! You can be the T-Rex!”
Leo grinned. Asking to join had worked! Now he was stomping and roaring like a dinosaur with his new friends.
Step 3: Taking Turns and Sharing – Playing Fairly
While playing, Leo and Jake both reached for the same toy shovel.
Leo really wanted to use it, but then he remembered something his mom had told him:
💡 “Friends take turns so everyone can have fun.”
Instead of grabbing the shovel, Leo said, “You can use it first. I’ll wait for my turn.”
Jake smiled. “Thanks, Leo! You can use it after me.”
Leo felt good. Taking turns made playing more fun!
As they continued playing, Leo saw another child who wanted to join. He remembered how he had felt earlier and decided to be welcoming.
He smiled at the child and said, “Do you want to play too? You can help us build a bridge for the dinosaurs!”
The child’s face lit up. Leo was learning that including others made the game even better!
Step 4: Understanding Feelings – Being a Kind Friend
The next day, Leo was excited to go back to the park. He couldn’t wait to play with Jake again!
But when he arrived, Jake was sitting alone, looking sad.
Leo wasn’t sure what to do. Should he ask what’s wrong? Should he leave Jake alone?
Then he remembered another important lesson from his teacher:
💡 “Friends care about each other’s feelings.”
Leo sat next to Jake and gently asked, “Are you okay?”
Jake sighed. “I lost my favorite toy.”
Leo thought for a moment. “I can help you look for it.”
Jake’s face brightened. “Really? That would be great!”
Together, they searched the park until they found Jake’s toy under a bench.
Jake hugged his toy and said, “Thanks, Leo! You’re a good friend.”
Leo felt warm inside. Helping a friend felt just as good as playing!
Step 5: Saying Goodbye and Planning to Meet Again
As the sun began to set, Leo’s mom called him. “It’s time to go home, Leo!”
Leo felt a little sad. He had so much fun playing with Jake and the other kids.
But then he remembered another important step in making friends:
💡 “Saying goodbye and planning to meet again helps friendships grow.”
Leo turned to Jake and said, “I had fun today! Want to play again tomorrow?”
Jake grinned. “Yeah! Let’s build an even bigger sandcastle!”
Leo waved as he left. “Bye, Jake! See you tomorrow!”
Jake waved back. “See you, Leo!”
Leo felt proud. He had learned how to make friends!
What Leo Learned About Making Friends
Leo realized that making friends wasn’t as scary as he thought. He had followed five simple steps:
✅ Saying hello – Helps start a conversation.
✅ Asking to join the game – Makes it easier to play with others.
✅ Taking turns and sharing – Keeps games fair and fun.
✅ Understanding feelings – Shows kindness and helps build trust.
✅ Saying goodbye and planning to meet again – Strengthens friendships over time.
Leo was excited to use what he learned to make even more friends in the future!
Final Thoughts: Helping Kids with Autism Make Friends
Making friends can be challenging for kids with autism, but small, clear steps make the process easier.
💡 Social stories like Leo’s help children understand social interactions in a fun and engaging way.
With practice, patience, and encouragement, every child can learn how to build meaningful friendships.
Does your child have a favorite way of making friends? Share your thoughts in the comments! 😊
Mark Richards is the creative mind behind Classica FM, a podcast platform that brings stories, knowledge, and inspiration to listeners of all ages. With a passion for storytelling and a love for diverse topics, he curates engaging content—from kids’ tales to thought-provoking discussions for young adults.
