Active Listening

Help autistic children build communication skills with our What Is Active Listening? social story, featuring tips for listening and understanding others.

WHAT IS ACTIVE LISTENING When someone is speaking to us, and we want to show them we are paying attention, we use active listening. Active listening is when we give our full attention to the person speaking, ensuring we understand what they are saying so we can participate in the conversation. Ways I can show I am actively listening include: Facing my body toward the speaker Nodding my head in understanding Letting the speaker finish what they are saying Asking questions about what they said Repeating what they said to show you heard them It's okay if I don't understand what they are talking about right away! If I don't understand something they said, I can ask or sign, "What did you mean by that?" Asking for more information helps me better understand and shows the person speaking that I am actively listening. Places I can use active listening include: At home with my family In school with friends or teachers At the doctor's office with my nurse or doctor Active listening can take some practice, but by asking questions and showing the speaker I am engaged with what they are saying, I can become a great active listener!

Social stories use simple langauge and clear visuals to walk your autistic child through situations like new routines, transitions, or social interactions. Reading them together ahead of time helps reduce anxiety, builds understanding, and makes unfamiliar moments feel more predictable and manageable.

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