Date: 13/01/2025
Many autistic students will be experiencing heightened anxiety this month as they try to settle back into the school routine following Winter break.
Expressing anxiety and asking for help can be challenging in a noisy, busy classroom, especially when the student is feeling overloaded.
These colour coded cards are a simple and effective way of communicating emotional states. Some students may prefer a more discrete method of communication, so passing the teacher or assistant a coloured pen can be a subtle alternative.
It is important to remember that this resource will not suit all children and young people as some may struggle to recognise emotions, due to alexithymia or differences in interoceptive awareness, and so the onus is then on supporting adults to be observant of the indicators of anxiety in the student and offer support.