A new place can bring uncertainty. Your child may want to know where you are going, what the building is like, who might be there, and what will happen first. Having some information ahead of time can make a visit feel more familiar.
PlaceAut helps Florida families find autism-friendly places, events, and resources where they can feel welcome and supported. The site brings planning tools together in one place, including places to discover, events to save, sensory matches, social stories, and recommendations from parents.
Businesses can list and manage their places on PlaceAut. Families can also recommend places for review, helping other parents find options that may suit their children. For certified listings, PlaceAut offers in-person family evaluations.
Preparing With a Free Social Story for Your Visit
A social story can help your child understand a visit before it happens. PlaceAut lets you pick a place and create a gentle, personalized story that explains what to expect step by step.
You can use the Free Social Story for Your Visit tool to prepare your child for a new or familiar place. The story is free, printable, and shareable, so you can look at it together before the visit or share it with someone supporting your child.
A social story is not a promise that everything will happen in exactly the same way. Plans can change, and your child may still need breaks or extra support. The story gives you a simple way to talk through the visit and notice parts that may need more preparation.
You can discuss the place, what your child may see, what may happen during the visit, and what happens when it is time to leave. Keep the conversation calm and follow your child's pace. Some children may want to go through the story more than once. Others may prefer to focus on one part at a time.
Use the Tools That Fit Your Family
Every family prepares differently. You might begin by finding a place that matches your child's sensory needs, then create a social story to explain the visit. You may also save an event for later or recommend a place that worked well for your family.
If you run a business in Florida, listing your place can give families information to consider before they arrive. Details about a location can help parents decide whether it feels like a suitable option for their child.
Preparation does not need to be complicated. Finding a place, saving an event, and talking through a visit can give your child a clearer idea of what is ahead. A story they can revisit may also help make the outing feel more understandable.
