The Usage of Break Cards to Help With Expressive Communication

My previous post delved into Autism and some of the challenges that students with the condition may experience in expressing themselves. 

One way in which a teacher can help a student with their expressive communication is through the use of Break, Choice, and Past Event Cards.

Break Cards: These cards tell the teacher or anyone else that the student is in need of a break or time out from an activity or the classroom itself.

Choice Cards: Choice cards give students the option of what they want to eat, play, do, and learn.

Past Event Cards: Many students with Autism have trouble relating past events to current ones. To help these students make the connection, past event cards are used. These cards, and the aforementioned cards, can be used both at home or at school.

An example of a past event card reads like this:

In school today I read _____________________

I played _____________________________

In science class I learned ____________________

The student would then fill in the blanks.

Another example of a past event card is a multiple choice card:

Today in school, I did the following:

Played kickball at recess

Stayed inside for recess

Read a book

Went to the library

Went to a assembly

Overall, Break, Choice, & Past Event cards are an example of some of the tools at the disposable of teachers. It should also be mentioned that these cards are definitely a low tech AT tool.