For many children with autism and other developmental disabilities, riding the school bus can be a challenging part of the day. There’s a lot going on—new sounds, transitions, waiting, movement, and interactions with peers. That’s why having the right tools can make all the difference.
If you're looking for support, the Riding the Bus Social Story & Visual Supports set was created with you and your students in mind. This jam-packed resource is designed to reduce stress, teach routines, and support success with bus transitions for autistic students.
Let’s take a look at what’s included—and how each piece can help.
What’s Included in the Bus Social Story & Visual Supports Set?
You’ll get two flexible social stories: one for riding the bus to school, and one for the ride home. Since the pages aren’t numbered, you can choose exactly what fits your student and school routine best. These stories help kids know what to expect and how to respond during bus rides.
Mini Social Stories for Quick Reference
Sometimes you don’t have time to flip through a whole story during transitions. That’s where the Autism Little Learners Mini-Stories come in! With 16 half-page stories and simple visuals, these mini supports are perfect for those on-the-go moments, right before or during the bus ride.
48 Visual Cue Cards
We've designed this set of 48 visual cue cards based on real-life feedback from educators. You’ll find cards for common bus challenges, like “sit down,” “quiet voice,” and “wait your turn.”
A few cards show what not to do (like “no spitting” or “no hitting”), but we encourage you to dig deeper. If a child is struggling with behaviors on the bus, visual cues alone may not solve the issue. Think of these cards as part of a bigger plan that includes understanding behavior and communication needs.
“I loved these visuals! There are so many ways to use them. I love that it comes with visual routine strips, such as: steps to walk into school. I appreciated the fun activities that were inside also! Putting the seatbelt on has been something that I regularly refer to for my students!” -Marissa M.
First-Then Boards
To build routine and predictability, we’ve included a First-Then board and a First-Then-Next board. These visual schedules help students understand what’s happening now and what’s coming next, which reduces stress and supports independence.
Errorless Activities
Who says learning routines can’t be fun? These five interactive activities let kids explore bus routines in a playful way—placing buses on roads, kids on seats, seatbelts on students, and more. They’re a great way to preview or review bus skills in a low-pressure environment.
“I use social stories everyday with my students. This was such a great resource. It hit all the things I needed it to and my students loved all the bright pictures and that they really look like their bus. It was an easy prep resource and look forward to using it each year. “-Mary C.
Why Visual Supports Matter for Autism
Children with autism often thrive with visuals. Pictures can reduce anxiety, support communication, and provide consistency during transitions like getting on or off the bus. This resource gives you the flexibility to use what works best for your student—whether that’s a full social story, a quick mini-card, or a simple first-then visual.
Final Thoughts: Helping Kids Feel Safe on the Bus
Riding the bus doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the Riding the Bus Social Story & Visual Supports resource, you’ll be equipped to support smoother transitions, more confidence, and a better start (and end) to each day for your students.
👉 Check out the full resource here and help your students feel more prepared and supported on the bus!
More Resources You’ll Love
If this resource was helpful, you might also enjoy:
- Visual Communication Book – Nonverbal Autism
- Autism and Toilet Training Visual Supports
- Wheels on The Bus Task Cards & Interactive Visual Book
- Autism Speech Therapy One Step Directions
- Autism Speech Therapy Two Step Directions
If you use visual supports in your classroom or home, you are going to want to sign up for this free Visual Supports Starter Set ASAP! Click here to have one sent to your inbox. Also, be sure to read more about visual supports and how they can help autistic children here.
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