Sam, a 4-year-old autistic child, learns a bathroom routine using a picture chart with the help of a caring grown-up, discovering it's okay to ask for help and try one step at a time.
Sam loved preschool. There were blocks to build with and stories to hear. But sometimes, Sam felt a funny feeling in their tummy. It meant they needed the bathroom. Sam felt unsure. The door was so big. The toilet made a loud WHOOSH. The sink was slippery. Sam just stood very still, wondering what to do.
Ms. Lee noticed Sam standing still. She came over with a kind smile. "It's okay to feel unsure, Sam," she said softly. "Lots of friends are learning. Would you like to see my special helper chart?" She showed Sam a bright board with simple pictures in a row. "It shows us what to do, one step at a time." Sam looked at the pictures, feeling curious.
The first picture showed a person raising a hand. "Step one is to ask," said Ms. Lee. Sam took a deep breath. "Bathroom, please?" they asked quietly. "Good asking!" said Ms. Lee. She pointed to the next picture: a person walking. Sam walked to the bathroom door. They did the first two steps! A little spark of pride popped in Sam's chest.
The next picture showed a door. "This step is about privacy," Ms. Lee explained from the hallway. "You can close the door, or leave it open a tiny bit. You choose." Sam looked at the big door. It felt a little scary. Sam decided to leave it open just a crack. That felt just right. One tricky step was done!
After using the toilet, Sam saw the next picture: a toilet with swirling lines. Flushing. Sam remembered the loud WHOOSH sound. Just then, their friend Leo finished at the sink. "Bye, Sam!" Leo said with a wave. Seeing a friend do the routine made Sam feel a little braver.
Sam took another deep breath, just like Ms. Lee had shown them. They pressed the flush handle and jumped back! WHOOSH! The sound was big and sudden. But then... the water swirled calmly away. The big sound was over. Sam waited. Their heart was beating fast, but they were okay. They had done the flush step!
The next pictures were friends: soapy hands, then water, then a towel. Sam pumped the soap once. It smelled like strawberries! They rubbed their hands together, making white, foamy bubbles. The bubbles felt funny and slick. Sam rinsed until the bubbles swam down the drain. Then they grabbed a paper towel and rubbed until their hands were dry and warm.
The last picture showed a person walking back to a group. Sam walked out of the bathroom. Ms. Lee was waiting. "You did it, Sam! You followed the pictures all by yourself!" Sam showed Ms. Lee their dry hands. "I did the steps," Sam said. Ms. Lee gave a big smile. "You sure did. And you can always ask if you need the chart or some help."
Later, Sam was building a tall block tower. The funny tummy feeling came back. This time, Sam knew what to do. They found Ms. Lee and the picture chart. "Bathroom, please?" Sam asked. Then, step by step, Sam did the routine. When they returned to their blocks, Sam felt a warm, sunny feeling inside. They had practiced, and they were proud.