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Any tips on visual story for stopping self harming?

A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭

Non verbal son got frustrated and didn't understand what was happening. The boiler/hot water stopped working and only got cold water while showering. He banged his head against the wall. Want to stop that from happening again and let him know staff will help. How to put it into diagram/photos for him. Perhaps clock showing wait by it and another clock face showing boiler man fixing problem. Staff helping

August 9
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A MyAutismTeam Member

That sounds great! 🙂

August 9
A MyAutismTeam Member

Youtube
How do I help? Self Harm

Core Elements of a Visual Story for Self-HarmIdentifying Feelings: Name the big feelings or sensory overloads that happen right before self-harm (frustration, anger, too much noise).Naming the Behavior: Gently state the specific action without judgment (e.g., "Sometimes when I am mad, my hands want to hit").Safe Choices: Show clear, visual alternatives like squeezing a stress ball, ripping paper, or asking for a break.Positive Reinforcement: Conclude with a calming thought or praise for making a safe choice.How to Use and Customize ItKeep Language Simple: Use short, direct sentences with one clear image or photo per page.Remove Unwanted Pages: Tailor the story to the individual by removing triggers or actions that do not apply to them.Read Proactively: Review the story during calm times—not right during a meltdown—to help them practice coping skills ahead of stress.This video offers practical insights on strategies and parental approaches for addressing self-injury in autism:37:37A Story of Hope: Reducing Autism Self Injury ...

https://www.autismadventures.com/i-wont-hurt-my...

Self-harm

National Autistic Society
https://www.autism.org.uk › ... › Mental health
Some autistic people have found that CBT helps them to understand why they self-harm and how to reduce it. It does this by: improving self-esteem and confidence
Autism, Head Banging and other Self Harming Behavior

Autism Parenting Magazine
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com › autism-self-...
To help stop self-biting, identify and reduce triggers while offering

https://www.autismadventures.com/i-wont-hurt-myself-behavior-basics/
Autism Parenting Magazine – For you and your child
Autism Parenting Magazine – For you and your child
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com
National Autistic Society
National Autistic Society
https://www.autism.org.uk
August 9 (edited)
MyAutismTeam

What a thoughtful and caring approach — creating a visual story is a wonderful way to help a non-verbal person with autism understand unexpected situations like this one.

A social story using pictures or diagrams can really help explain what happened and what to expect next time. Here's a simple structure to consider:

- Show Full Answer

What a thoughtful and caring approach — creating a visual story is a wonderful way to help a non-verbal person with autism understand unexpected situations like this one.

A social story using pictures or diagrams can really help explain what happened and what to expect next time. Here's a simple structure to consider:

- Panel 1: A picture of the shower with cold water (maybe blue droplets) and a sad/confused face to show "something is different today"
- Panel 2: A picture of the boiler with a simple "broken" symbol (like an X or a sad face on it)
- Panel 3: A clock showing the current time — "We are waiting now"
- Panel 4: A picture of a repair person fixing the boiler
- Panel 5: A second clock showing a later time — "The boiler will be fixed by this time"
- Panel 6: A staff member with a friendly face and open arms — "Staff are here to help"
- Panel 7: A shower with warm water (red/orange droplets) and a happy face — "Warm water will come back" Using real photos of familiar staff members and the actual boiler or shower in his home can make it feel even more relatable and less abstract for him.

It also helps to use an "if/then" format to explain uncertainty clearly. For example:

- If the clock shows [time] = boiler man is fixing it 🔧
- If the clock shows [later time] = warm shower is ready 🚿

Keeping the language on each panel very short and direct is key. Phrases like *"Cold water today. Staff will help. Warm water will come back."* work better than longer explanations.

Practicing the story with him during calm moments — not just when a problem occurs — can help it sink in so he's better prepared if it happens again. You're doing an amazing job looking out for him! 💙

August 9

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