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When My Inside Feelings Get Big
1/8

Illustrations still show Sammy.

One-time per story. Takes about 2 minutes.

Portrait of sammy
proud
What I Already Know
● Reading...
My bedroom

What I Already Know

I am good at noticing many things around me. I can see all the small parts that make up a robot. I like to draw my favorite robots with many details. This helps me understand how things work.

I am good at noticing many things around me. I can see all the small parts that make up a robot. I like to draw my favorite robots with many details. This helps me understand how things work.

What I Already Know

I notice many things. I see robot parts. I draw my robots. I understand how things work.

page-1 page-1
Portrait of sammy
anxious
When Things Feel Different
● Reading...
School art classroom

When Things Feel Different

Sometimes, during group art time at school, the room gets very noisy. My body might start to feel different inside. I might want to take a break from all the sounds.

Sometimes, during group art time at school school, the room gets very noisy. My body might start to feel different inside. I might want to take a break from all the sounds.

When Things Feel Different

School art time is noisy. My body feels different. I want a break.

school school
Portrait of sammy
curious
A New Way to Think
● Reading...
Quiet corner of the classroom

A New Way to Think

When my body feels different, an. adult can help me notice these feelings. We can think about what the feeling might be called. It is okay to not know the name right away.

When my body feels different, an. adult adult can help me notice these feelings. We can think about what the feeling might be called. It is okay to not know the name right away.

A New Way to Think

An adult helps me. We name feelings. Not knowing is okay.

adult adult
calm calm
Portrait of sammy
calm
One Step at a Time
● Reading...
School library

One Step at a Time

When my feelings feel big, taking. a deep breathe can help my body. Thinking about a favorite robot can also help me feel calm. This helps my body relax a little.

When my feelings feel big, taking. a deep breathe can help my body. Thinking about a favorite robot can also help me feel calm. This helps my body relax a little.

One Step at a Time

Big feelings need a breath. Robots make me calm. My body relaxes.

calm calm
breathe breathe
Portrait of sammy
hopeful
Trying It Out
● Reading...
School playground

Trying It Out

When my body feels different, I can ask an adult for help. I can try to name the feeling. or just say "I need a break. " This helps me get what I need.

When my body feels different, I can ask an adult for help help. I can try to name the feeling. or just say "I need a break. " This helps me get what I need.

Trying It Out

I can ask for help. I can try to name feelings. I can say "break. "

question question
help help
Portrait of sammy
proud
Look How Far I've Come
● Reading...
My bedroom

Look How Far I've Come

Noticing my feelings helps me understand myself better. I can learn what my body needs when feelings get big. I am learning new ways to understand. my body and my feelings every day.

Noticing my feelings helps me understand myself better. I can learn what my body needs when feelings get big. I am learning new ways to understand. my body and my feelings every day.

Look How Far I've Come

Noticing feelings helps me. I learn what I need. I am learning every day.

calm calm
Home

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SammyStories was built by parents of an autistic child who couldn't find the tools their son needed. What started as a project for one family became a mission for every family. Every story, every feature, and every design choice is shaped by real lived experience.

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Disclaimer: withSammy provides educational support tools and resources. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, medical advice, or emergency care. Content is informed by evidence-based practices (including Carol Gray's Social Stories™ criteria) and reviewed by qualified clinicians, but does not constitute clinical treatment. If your child is in crisis, contact your local emergency services or crisis line.

Social Stories™ is a trademark of Carol Gray (est. 1991). withSammy is not affiliated with or endorsed by Carol Gray. carolgraysocialstories.com

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