I Can Get an Ultrasound

Authors: Dr. Vrolijk & Dr. Tomlinson  |  Illustrator: Kam Reynolds  |  Updated: February 15, 2026  |  Disclaimer  |  Review Process   

Authors: Dr. Vrolijk & Dr. Tomlinson  |  Illustrator: Kam Reynolds

Updated: February 15, 2026

Disclaimer   |   Review Process   

Kids often don’t know what to expect from an ultrasound. Even kids who’ve had one might not know they can ask for things like a break or earplugs.

‘I Can Get an Ultrasound’ is an illustrated book created by doctors. It was designed with autistic kids in mind, but it can help any kid. Two versions are available: one for younger children (ages 4-11) and one for teens and young adults (ages 12+). There is also information on ultrasounds for adults.

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My stomach hurts. My doctor says I need an ultrasound to find out why.




I’m nervous. I’ve never done this before.



I'I wait my turn. I can tell my medical team if I need something..




Time to go!

I may ride in a wheelchair, walk, or be pushed in my bed.

A family member can come with me.

A new person does the ultrasound. They’re called an ultrasound tech.




This is the ultrasound machine. It has a wand that can see inside my belly.




There’s a bed in the ultrasound room.

I lie down on it.



I can hold a toy or watch TV during the ultrasound. I can even play a game.



I feel cold.

I ask for a blanket.



The machine makes a humming sound. I can use the blanket to cover my ears.

The lights are bright. I can use the blanket to cover my eyes too.

The wand needs gel.

It goes on my belly.

Sometimes it’s warm. Other times it’s cold.


The wand sees inside my belly!

I can ask to see the pictures.





The tech moves the wand back and forth across my belly.

I try to stay still so they can get good pictures.



Sometimes they press down to see more. This can feel uncomfortable.

I can ask them to tell me before they press down.



I tell my medical team if I need a break.

We wait one minute. Then the tech keeps taking pictures.



All done! We wipe off the gel.

Now we wait for the doctor to look at the pictures.



My belly still hurts.

I can tell my medical team how I feel. They will try to help.




I did it!

I can get an ultrasound!




My stomach hurts. My medical team says I need an ultrasound to find out why.




I change into a hospital gown in a private room. I keep my underwear on.

It might feel scratchy, but it helps the doctors do their job.

I'm nervous. I've never done this before.




I wait for the ultrasound. I can distract myself. I can play a game, read, watch a video, listen to music.


Time for the ultrasound. I might ride in a wheelchair, stay in my bed, or walk there.

I can bring a family member or friend with me.

A new medical team member will do the ultrasound. They're called an ultrasound tech.



There’s a bed in the ultrasound room. I lie down on it.




This is the ultrasound machine.

The wand uses sound waves to create images of what’s inside my body. I won’t be able to hear or feel them.

Ultrasound is like how bats and boats use sound waves to see where they're going.



If I feel cold, I can ask for a blanket.




The lights are too bright.

I can ask to turn them off or block the light with a blanket.


The machine makes a loud humming sound.

I can cover my ears with a blanket, ask for ear plugs, or use headphones.

The ultrasound takes around 30 minutes.

I can distract myself during it.


The ultrasound wand needs gel. The gel helps the wand see inside my belly.

The gel can be cold or warm.



The wand creates images of what's inside my body.

I can ask the tech to see them.



The tech moves the wand back and forth across my belly.

I try to stay still so they can get good pictures.


Sometimes they need to press down to get good pictures. This can be uncomfortable or hurt.

I can ask them to warn me first..


I can tell the ultrasound tech if I need a break.

We wait one minute. Then the tech keeps taking pictures.


I’m done! We wipe off the gel.

Now I wait for a doctor called a radiologist to look at the pictures. My doctor will tell me what they say.

My stomach hurts.

I can tell my medical team how I'm feeling. They will try to help.



I did it, even though I was nervous.

Next time will be easier, because I know what to expect.


For Parents & Caregivers

Download the PDF Guide 

Ultrasound is a safe test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of the body. This is the same method ships and boats use to map the ocean floor or find fish (called sonar). It does not use radiation or harmful substances.

The sound waves are painless and cannot be felt. The test may still feel uncomfortable if the tech needs to press firmly on tender areas. 

  • Safe for all ages, even babies before birth
  • No radiation exposure, unlike X-rays or CT scans
  • Can show organs and tissues in real-time movement
  • No needles or injections needed
  • Results are often available right away
  • Can be repeated as often as needed without risk
  • Cannot see through bone or air, which can hide some body parts
  • May need pressure that can be uncomfortable on tender areas
  • Image quality varies based on the technician’s skill
  • Sometimes other tests (like MRI or CT scan) may still be needed after ultrasound
  • Your child may need to change into a gown
  • Clear gel will be applied to the skin (it feels cold and wet)
  • The gel helps the sound waves travel between the wand and the body
  • The technician will press the wand against the skin and move it around
  • The pressure is usually gentle but may feel firm at times
  • Your child will need to lie still to get clear pictures
  • The technician may ask your child to hold their breath briefly

Beforehand

  • Review the story with your child
  • Ask your child what questions they have
  • Practice asking for a break and any calming methods your child likes

When You Get There

You know your child best, so let the care team know what might help. Things that can help include:

  • What helps your child stay calm
  • Any sensory needs (like dim lights, quiet voices, etc.)
  • What has worked well during past medical visits
  • Let the tech know if your child will be using a word or raising their hand to ask for a break

During

    • Let your child know you’re there. You can stand where they can see you, hold their hand, or provide physical comfort like rubbing their leg
    • Remind your child what comes next
    • Offer praise for staying still, even for short times

About the Book

“I Can Get an Ultrasound” helps kids understand what’s going to happen and empowers them to ask for what they need. It does this by including:

  • What happens at each step
  • What might be hard and some ways to handle it
  • Ways to ask for what you need

The book has information like how the hospital gown might feel scratchy, so kids can mentally prepare. Seeing the character face these challenges can help children know it’s okay to feel uncomfortable or nervous. It also provides options to deal with these challenges. Some are tips like using a blanket to block out light. Others are examples of how to ask for what you need. That way kids know what’s going to happen and ways they can deal with it.

“I Can Get an Ultrasound” was designed with autistic kids in mind but can help any child. It was written by a doctor with autism and a pediatric ER physician. It was reviewed by physicians with experience caring for patients with autism. The writing adapts and builds on techniques used in Social Stories.

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