Break Cards

     Based on my previous post on Expressive Language Disorders, this next low tech piece of AT break cards may be extremely beneficial for students with this disorder. Break cards provide a way for students to express a want or need without having to communicate verbally. They may simply just flash the card to express this need. 

     This is a card that is available for students to present to the teacher if they need a break.  There are many ways to set this up.  You can allow one break per activity, or you can allow a determined number of breaks per day (if you give too many, your student may end up on a break all day, if you give too few, you may not see a decrease in problem behavior.  You can always gradually fade out the number of breaks as your student's problem behavior decreases.)

      Teach your children to "request" a break when they are frustrated or need a few moments away from the task. This card is a nice visual reminder for the student and is useful for home, school, and community environments.

     I have had the opportunity to use break cards in my current classroom. It truly is a great system to have with students in an emotional support setting as these students can become easily frustrated. This system provides a tangible object to flash when frustrated.