I NEED A BREAK: Visual Communication Cards

I NEED A BREAK is a visual communication toolkit designed to help children communicate when they need a pause, more time, less stimulation, space, quiet, movement, help or adult support.

The cards provide simple visual ways to express needs that may be difficult to communicate verbally, especially during challenging, overwhelming or demanding situations.

What's Included

• 20 original visual communication cards
• Printable A4 card PDF
• Quick Guide with practical ideas for using the cards
• Individual descriptions for all 20 cards
• Black-and-white, printer-friendly design
• Cards designed for approximately 6.8 × 8.8 cm printing

The cards include messages such as:

I NEED A BREAK
STOP, PLEASE
WAIT
NOT YET
I NEED MORE TIME
TOO MUCH
TOO LOUD
TOO FAST
SLOW DOWN
ONE THING AT A TIME
I NEED SOME SPACE
I NEED QUIET
I WANT TO MOVE
I WANT TO SIT
I WANT TO BE ALONE
I NEED HELP
I NEED AN ADULT
CAN YOU DO IT WITH ME?
I WANT TO TRY LATER
I'M READY AGAIN

Useful for

• Special education classrooms
• Speech and language support
• SLPs and speech therapists
• Teachers and teaching assistants
• School support staff
• Occupational therapists
• Parents and caregivers

The cards can be used for individual communication, classroom routines, transitions, self-advocacy, role play and communication practice. They can be introduced gradually and used alongside spoken language, gestures or other communication supports.

Important: These materials are educational and communication supports. They are not a diagnostic assessment and should not be used on their own to make clinical, psychological, educational or developmental conclusions.

Digital resource only. No physical product will be shipped.