A sound that hurts, everyone moving at once, no warning. Fire drills are the loudest surprise in the school year. Practicing the script ahead makes the alarm smaller.
Social story
Fire Drill
Sometimes at school we have a fire drill.
A fire drill is practice. There is no fire.
The alarm is very loud. Covering my ears is okay.
We line up and walk outside with our class.
We wait together, the drill ends, and we go back inside.
Drills are how everyone learns what to do. I am safe.
The alarm is genuinely painful for many autistic kids, and the not-knowing-when makes it worse. You usually can't control the when, but you can make every step after the sound automatic. Practice the walk at home with no sound first, then add a recording at low volume. You know which steps your kid will snag on. Change anything.
One tip from a dad who's been there
Ask the school to tell YOU the day before a planned drill; most will. Headphones live in the backpack year round, and the teacher knows your kid grabs them first, before lining up.
Common questions
The alarm hurts my child's ears. What can the school do?
More than most parents ask for: advance warning to you, headphones as a standing accommodation, or stepping out a minute early with an aide before the alarm sounds. Put it in writing in the IEP or 504 if you have one.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup and nothing you type is stored. Make it, print it, done.
