Staying at the hospital.
A strange bed, beeping machines, new people checking on you day and night. Knowing the why and the who makes it less frightening.
Social story
At the Hospital
Soon I am going to stay at the hospital for a little while.
The hospital helps my body get better.
I will have a bed that is mine for now. The room will be new.
Nurses and doctors will check on me, even at night. They are there to help.
The machines make beeping sounds. The beeps are normal.
My grown-up can stay close. When my body is better, I get to go home.
More ways to prepare for the hospital
What to expect
A hospital is full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and people, often when your child already feels unwell. Naming that the people are there to help, that the beeps are normal, and that a grown-up can usually stay, makes it bearable.
One tip from a dad who's been there
Ask what your child can bring from home (a blanket, a tablet, headphones) and ask the staff to explain each thing before they do it. Tell them your child's sensory needs out loud, early.
