Friend Signals Comic Story
Comic Social Story
FRIEND SIGNALS
Episode 1: The Case of the Mixed-Up Signals
Cast: Leo & Sam
Story Clue: Leo and Sam are best friends in 2nd grade. They love building with blocks, but sometimes Leo's words and body send two different messages!
PANEL 1 Recess Time
Sam says: "Hey Leo! Look at my tower! Let's build the rocket wings together!"
Leo's brain feels: "The room is loud. My energy battery is at 10%. I feel cranky."
Leo wants a break, but his words come out sharp.
PANEL 2 The Sharp Words
Leo shouts: "Go away! Leave me alone! You are being annoying!"
Sam's face drops. He backs up and feels sad.
Saying "You're annoying" hurts Sam's feelings.
PANEL 3 The Mixed Signal
10 seconds later: Leo runs right past Sam's desk, giggling and zooming!
Leo laughs & zooms: "Vroooom! You can't catch me! Hehehe!"
*Leo darts around Sam, laughing like he wants a chase game*
Leo asked for space, but his body ran right back!
PANEL 4 Sam is Confused
Inside Sam's Head:
"Wait... Leo told me to go away and said I was annoying, but now he is laughing and zooming near me. Does he want to play? Does he hate me? I feel confused."
Mixed signals make our friends feel tricked and hurt.
Social Clue to Remember
A mixed signal happens when my mouth says "Go away," but my body runs around laughing. My friend cannot read my mind!
Turn page for The Solution! →
Comic Social Story
FRIEND SIGNALS
Episode 2: Sending Clear Signals & Making It Right
Clear Clues
The Fix: Leo stops and remembers his superpower: MATCH WORDS & ACTIONS. Here is how Leo fixes the mixed signal!
PANEL 5 Step 1: Real Space
Leo uses KIND words: "I need quiet space right now. I will sit in the reading nook for 5 minutes."
Leo walks calmly to the chair. He does NOT run past Sam or laugh nearby.
Real space means my body stays apart quietly.
PANEL 6 Step 2: Battery Recharge
Leo's Calm Tools:
1 3 deep dragon breaths
2 Squeeze sensory squishy ball
âš¡ Battery recharged to 100%! Ready to be a kind friend.
Taking space calms my body so I do not say mean words.
PANEL 7 Step 3: The Repair
Leo says the repair: "I'm sorry I yelled that you were annoying, Sam. That was hurtful. I was feeling overwhelmed."
Sam smiles: "Thank you Leo. It felt confusing when you ran and laughed."
An honest apology fixes friendship scratches.
PANEL 8 Step 4: Reconnect!
Leo asks clearly: "Are you ready to play together now? Would you like to build blocks or play catch?"
Sam says: "Yes! Let's finish building the rocket spaceship together!"
Both friends are happy because the signals are clear!
THE 4 RULES How to be a Clear Signal Friend:
Practice on Page 3 →
1. Match Clues Words & body agree
2. Real Space Body stays apart
3. Kind Words Say what you need
4. Repair & Ask Apologize & check in
Activity & Practice
My Clear Signal Practice Sheet
Name:
Date:
Part 1
Signal Detective: Mixed Signal or Clear Signal?
Check one box for each situation
A. Leo says "I want to be alone," but he runs in circles around Sam laughing.
Mixed Signal Clear Signal
B. Leo says "I need 5 quiet minutes," and he sits calmly on the green rug to read.
Mixed Signal Clear Signal
Part 2
Word Makeover: Replace Hurtful Words with Kind Feeling Words
Instead of saying: "Go away! You're annoying!"
Try this
Write a kind way to ask for space using your feelings:
"I feel overwhelmed right now. Please give me..."
Instead of saying: "Stop looking at me! Get lost!"
Try this
Write a calm sentence to ask for a quiet break:
"I need quiet time to..."
Part 3
My Friendship Repair Script: 3 Steps to Fix It
1 Say the Apology
What are you sorry for?
2 Explain Your Feeling
Why did you react that way?
3 Ask to Reconnect
What game can you play now?
Part 4
What does REAL SPACE look like? (Circle 2 things you will do)
Sit quietly with a book
Take 5 deep breaths
Draw on paper calmly
Squeeze a stress ball