Impulse Control Lesson Plan Impulse Control Power-Up
Mission Briefing: Tier 3 Individualized Support
30 Minutes
Objective
The student will identify personal sensory triggers, learn and practice three self-regulation strategies (e.g., deep breathing, sensory breaks, counting), and apply these strategies to delay impulsive responses in a guided scenario.
Why This Matters
Learning to manage impulsivity is crucial for students with sensory processing disorder as it helps them navigate their environment more effectively, reduce disruptive behaviors, and improve their ability to learn and interact positively with peers and adults.
Preparation
Setup Time: 15 minutes
Review Slide Deck and Sensory Superpower Script.
Gather sensory tools (fidgets, stress ball, weighted lap pad).
Prepare "My Calm-Down Tool Kit" worksheet.
Set up a quiet, distraction-free space.
Equipment & Materials
• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Sensory tools (fidgets, etc.)
• Power-Up Slide Deck
• Sensory Superpower Script
• Calm-Down Tool Kit Activity
• Quick Check Cool Down
Instructional Sequence
5m
Warm-Up: What's Happening Inside?
Begin with an engaging question: "Have you ever felt so excited or overwhelmed that you just reacted without thinking?" Introduce the concept of an 'impulse' and how senses influence reactions. Use Slide 1 of the deck.
7m
Exploring Sensory Triggers & Reactions
Identify personal sensory triggers using the script prompts. Discuss how these triggers lead to impulsive actions. Use relevant slides to illustrate examples of "too much" or "too little" input.
10m
Building My Calm-Down Tool Kit
Introduce 2-3 specific self-regulation strategies (deep breathing, fidgets, counting). Model each strategy and have the student practice. Document choices on the Tool Kit worksheet.
5m
Practice & Role-Play
Present a relevant scenario (loud noise, unexpected touch). Guide the student through the S.T.O.P. process and their chosen tool. Provide positive reinforcement for successful application.
3m
Cool Down: My Superpower Summary
Facilitate reflection using the Quick Check. Ask the student to name one strategy they will use this week. Reiterate that they are the boss of their brain.
Impulse Control Power Up Slides Impulse Control
Power-Up!
Become an Impulse Investigator
Today, we'll understand our superpowers and learn how to use them wisely!
What's an Impulse?
!
A sudden thought or feeling to DO something right away!
?
Our super senses sometimes tell our bodies to react quickly.
⚡
We want to be in charge of our reactions!
🧠 💨
"Sometimes my body moves before my brain can finish thinking!"
Sensory Triggers
Our senses are amazing, but sometimes they feel too much or not enough.
Sound
Sight
Touch
Smell
Movement
What are YOUR triggers?
The S.T.O.P. Strategy
S
STOP!
Pause what you're doing
T
THINK!
What's happening?
O
OBSERVE!
What are my senses telling me?
P
PLAN!
What's my best choice right now?
My Calm-Down Tool Kit
Deep Breathing
Smell a flower, blow out a candle.
Sensory Tools
Fidgets, stress balls, weighted items.
Count to Ten
Give your brain time to catch up!
Movement Break
Stretch, reset, and move your body.
What tools will YOU put in your kit?
You've Got This!
You are the boss of your brain and body!
Practice makes perfect. Keep building those impulse control superpowers!
Protected
Powerful
Prepared
Sensory Superpower Script Sensory Superpower Script
Instructional prompts and guiding questions for the Impulse Control session.
1. Warm-Up: What's Happening Inside?
5 Minutes
"Hey there! Thanks for joining me today. We're going to talk about something really interesting that helps us be the boss of our own brains and bodies. Have you ever felt super excited, or maybe a little overwhelmed, and you just reacted without really thinking about it? What was that like for you?"
[Allow student time to respond]
"That's a really good way to put it. Sometimes, our brains get a little too fast, and our bodies just want to go! We call that an 'impulse.' Our amazing senses are always taking in information, and sometimes they tell us to react really quickly. It's like having a superpower, but sometimes we need to learn how to control that power so it helps us, instead of getting us into a little bit of trouble."
Transition: Slide Deck - Slides 1 & 2
2. Exploring Sensory Triggers & Reactions
7 Minutes
"So, let's talk about our senses. We have our eyes for seeing, ears for hearing, skin for touching, nose for smelling, and tongue for tasting. But we also have senses inside our bodies that tell us where we are in space and how our body is moving! Sometimes, one of these senses might feel 'too much' or 'not enough.' When that happens, it can make us feel really strong urges to do something right away."
"Think about it: Do loud noises ever make you want to cover your ears and maybe even run away? Or does a scratchy tag in your shirt make you feel like you just have to rip it off? Those feelings can be 'triggers' for an impulse."
"What about you? Can you think of anything that makes your senses feel 'too much' or 'not enough,' and then makes you want to react really quickly? No worries if it's hard to think of, we can explore it together."
[Use this time to identify specific student triggers: noise level, lighting, personal space, movement needs]
"Those are great examples. It's awesome that you're noticing those things. Recognizing our triggers is like being a detective! It's the first step to being the boss of our reactions."
Transition: Slide Deck - Slide 3
3. Building My Calm-Down Tool Kit
10 Minutes
"Now that we know what an impulse is and what some of our sensory triggers might be, let's learn some superpowers to help us pause and make a thoughtful choice instead of just reacting. We're going to build your very own 'Calm-Down Tool Kit'!"
Transition: Slide 4 (S.T.O.P.) & Slide 5 (Tool Kit)
Strategy Demonstration
Deep Breathing:
"Smell a flower (in through nose), now blow out a candle (out through mouth). Let's do it three times together. How does that feel?"
My Calm-Down Tool Kit Activity My Calm-Down Tool Kit
Strategies for my Sensory Superpowers
Investigator Name
Date
1. My Sensory Superpower Triggers
What makes your senses feel "too much" or "not enough"?
Sounds:
Sights:
Touches:
Movement:
2. Tools for My Kit!
Ideas to Try:
Deep Breathing Count to 10 Fidget Toy Wiggle Break Drink Water Quiet Space
Choose your TOP 3 Tools:
#1
How I will use it...
#2
How I will use it...
#3
How I will use it...
3. Putting Tools Into Action
Situation: You feel really excited and want to blurt out an answer in class.
My Tool:
Why:
Situation: Someone bumps into you in the hallway, and you feel like pushing back.
My Tool:
Why:
Quick Check Cool Down Assessment Quick Check Cool Down
Reflecting on My Impulse Control Power-Up
1. What is one new tool or strategy you learned today to help you with your impulses?
2. How do you think this tool will help you when your senses feel "too much" or "not enough"?
3. What is one situation where you might try using your new tool?
4. How confident do you feel about trying one of these new strategies this week?
1
Not Very
2
3
Ready
4
5
Super!
Investigator
Date
