What happens during MATT’s Family Fun Night at BOUNCE-IT-OUT?

By Darcy Spinello, M.S., Ed.Special Education Teacher

A word from the authorBecause I wrote this social story as a generic model to be used with children within a wide developmental scope, please feel free to modify the story to suit the individual needs of your child.

The goal of this social story is to share information regarding the MATT organization’s Family Night at Bounce-it-out. Therefore, I did not include information regarding emotions or the perspectives of other people. If you feel your child would benefit from emotional information and/or guidance (e.g. “I may feel nervous when I first enter the building” or “My mom will be happy if I follow the rules”) feel free to add that information into the story.

The most advantageous time to introduce a social story to your child is during a quiet, calm time of the day. The reading of the social story should be viewed as a reassuring, positive, and comfortable activity for both you and your child. The social story could be read several days ahead of the event or immediately before, whatever you feel would most benefit your child. I hope this story serves to decrease your child’s anxiety regarding a social event and increase your family’s enjoyment of spending time together out in the community.

My family/caregiver belongs to a group called MATT.

MATT is an organization that helps children with Autism.

Usually on the second Wednesday of each month, MATT sponsors a Family Fun Night at a place called BOUNCE-IT-OUT.

BOUNCE-IT-OUT is a big building filled with lots of slides and things to bounce on.

Sometimes my parents or another adult may take me to family night at BOUNCE-IT-OUT.

This is what the outsideof the building looks like.

When I go inside, I may hear different sounds, like the sound of pumps pushing air into the big, bouncy slides. I may hear people talking and smell popcorn or pizza.

I may see other kids getting ready to bounce.

Some kids might look sad. That’s okay. An adult will help them feel better.

Many of the kids will look happy.

Before I can jump and play, I need to get a wrist bracelet. This is very important.

I may need to wait in line and stand close to other people.

I should stay near a familiar adult. This is a safe thing to do.

Before I can go in and play, I need totake my shoes off and put them away.

One of the rules at BOUNCE-IT-OUT

is that everyone needs to wear socks

into the jumping area.

If I need help, I can ask an adult, "Can you help me

with my socks?"

Many kids may need helpputting their socks on.

After my shoes are off and I am wearing socks, I follow my mom or dad into the bouncing area. It is a big room!

This is what the inside of BOUNCE-IT-OUT looks like.

There are bouncy slides at BOUNCE-IT-OUT.

Many kids like to play on the big slides. I may need to wait while another child goes down the slide before it is my turn. I will try to stay calm while I’m waiting.

There are things to climb up and things to sit on at BOUNCE-IT-OUT.

I may hear kids laughing or talking in loud voices.

Sometimes when kids laugh or talk loudly, it means they are happy and having a good time.

There are big climbing structures at BOUNCE-IT-OUT.

I may see kids climbing.

Many children move around other kids who are climbing. This is a safe thing to do.

Some children like to find a quiet space to relax. There is a quieter area at BOUNCE-IT-OUT that looks like this.

If I need a break, I may ask an adult,

"Can I take a break?" Mom or Dad can help

me find this quiet place.

In the back, there are game machines. Game machines make noise and have bright lights. Many children like to play on the game machines.

Sometimes another child may be playing on the game machine I

want to play on.

One thing I may try to say is, "May I have a turn?" or "How

much longer before I can have a turn?"

I will try to stay calm while I am waiting for a turn.

The bathrooms are close to the game machines.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Here is thehall to the bathrooms.

This is what the doors to the bathroom look like.

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If I need to go to the bathroom or want a drink of water, one thing I might say to an adult is, "I'm thirsty. May I get a drink?" or "I need to go to the bathroom, can you take me?"

Sometimes, an adult will ask me to "walk"

or "slow down." I will try to listen to the adult. This is a

safe thing to do.

When it is time to go, I may feel

One thing I may try to do is tell an adult how I am feeling. I may say,

"I feel mad. I don't want to go."

My mom or dad may try to make me feel better by giving me a hug

or telling me, "It's okay."

Before going home, everyone needs to put their shoes or boots back on.

Some kids may want to take off their wrist bracelet when it is time to go home. If I want to take off my wrist bracelet, one thing I may say is, "Can I take this off?" or "I need help."

An adult can help me take off the bracelet.

I will wait for an adult before

leaving the building. This is very important.

Maybe I'll be able to come back again!