Personal Space is a free social story designed to help kids understand physical boundaries, body awareness, and respectful social behaviour. Using clear visuals and simple language, it gives children an example of how to respect others’ space, explains why personal space matters, and how it helps people feel safe and calm.
This resource is especially useful for children with autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or social communication difficulties who benefit from visual structure and clear social rules.
What’s Inside This Personal Space Social Story?
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What is personal space? – Gives a clear example of how much space to leave between yourself and another person.
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Understanding how others feel – Explains that getting too close or touching others without asking can make them feel uncomfortable or upset.
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How to give people space – Encourages children to keep hands to themselves, leave room when sitting or standing, and use friendly body language.
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What to do in busy places – Reminds children to move carefully and use “gentle bodies” even when space is tight.
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How to ask for touch – Teaches children to ask politely for a hug or high five and wait for an answer.
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Respecting the answer – Reinforces that if someone says “no,” that is okay, and other kind gestures like waving or smiling are good choices.
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Celebrating success – Encourages children to feel proud when they remember to give others space and use kind behaviour.
How Can the Resource Be Used Practically?
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With autistic children – A helpful resource for teaching social boundaries, body safety, and personal space rules, especially for kids with autism.
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In schools and early years settings – Use the story during social-emotional learning (SEL) time or in a calm-down corner as a gentle reminder.
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At home with parents and carers – Read the story together to practise respectful interactions with siblings, friends, or visitors.
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In therapy and support sessions – Useful for speech therapists, occupational therapists, and behaviour support workers teaching personal space awareness.
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As a visual support for behaviour plans – Ideal for children who may touch others impulsively or struggle with knowing how close is too close.
This printable social story about personal space is a great way to support children—especially those with autism—in learning respect, empathy, and safe physical boundaries.
