MD Mission Lesson Plan Teacher Guide
MD Mission Lesson Plan
Preparing Autistic Children (Ages 6-8) for Successful Doctor Visits
Duration: 60 Mins (or 5 Days)
Group: Mixed-Ability
Instructional Objectives
• De-sensitize students to common sensory triggers (bright lights, cold stethoscopes).
• Identify and practice at least two self-regulation coping strategies.
• Express physical discomfort on a visual 1-10 color-coded pain scale.
Visual Kit Materials
Social Narrative Book
Coping Choice Board
Ouch Meter Pain Scale
Real/Toy Doctor Instruments
Activity 1: Sensory Tool Exploration (10 mins)
Sensory Habituation
Introduce students to real or plastic doctor tools (stethoscope, tongue depressor, penlight, thermometer) in a safe, non-threatening classroom setting.
Teacher Steps:
Model touching the stethoscope to your own arm first.
Pass it around; invite students to feel the "cold metal".
Explain: "The doctor touches this to your chest to listen."
Mixed-Ability Adaptations:
Non-Verbal: Point to "Cold" or "Shiny" communication symbols.Verbal: Describe the physical sensations using sensory words.
Activity 2: Social Narrative Walkthrough (15 mins)
Predictability
Read the Social Narrative Book together to visually model each phase of the doctor visit from waiting room to exam procedures.
Teacher Steps:
Read the story aloud, tracking words with your finger.
Highlight critical sensory events ("the light is bright").
Stop on "Waiting Room" and prompt children to model waiting.
Mixed-Ability Adaptations:
Non-Verbal: Touch matching 3D toys to the story pictures.Verbal: Predict what comes next using visual sentence starters.
Activity 3: My Coping Plan Customization (10 mins)
Self-Regulation
Help students select and practice coping strategies from the Coping Choice Board . They'll build an individual coping toolkit.
Teacher Steps:
Introduce the Coping Choice Board visual options.
Model each choice: taking deep belly breaths, squeezing a toy.
Have each child choose 2-3 strategies they like best.
Mixed-Ability Adaptations:
Non-Verbal: Use visual icons to select and velcro to their folder.Verbal: Explain why a choice helps them feel calm.
MD Mission Toolkit — Lesson Plan & Activities Page 1 of 2
MD Mission Lesson Plan (Continued)
Activities 4 & 5, Assessment, and Visual Prompts
Day 1 / Part 2
Activity 4: Decoding the Ouch Meter (13 mins)
Pain Communication
Teach students how to use the Ouch Meter Pain Scale (1-10) to communicate discomfort. Learn that numbers indicate severity.
Teacher Steps:
Point to levels: Level 1 (Green/Smiley) vs. Level 10 (Red/Crying).
Present scenario cards: "A paper cut" (Level 2) vs. "A broken bone" (Level 9).
Practice matching scenarios to numbers on the scale.
Mixed-Ability Adaptations:
Non-Verbal: Point to or use a sliding clip to pick the matching emoji.Verbal: Answer simple "Why" questions about their chosen level.
Activity 5: Play Doctor Role-Play Clinic (12 mins)
Generalization
Bring all skills together. Set up a simple mock clinic inside the classroom where students take turns playing "patient" and practice using coping tools.
Teacher Steps:
Act as the Doctor first, using a stuffed animal patient.
Simulate stethoscopes, lights, and checks.
Prompt the "patient" to use their Coping Board and rate discomfort on the Ouch Meter.
Mixed-Ability Adaptations:
Non-Verbal: Point to Coping Choice Board when teacher says "It's cold!"Verbal: Practice calling out "Wait, please. I need to take a deep breath."
Crucial Autism Support Strategies
First-Then Frame
Always use visual structure: "First cold metal, then a calming sticker." Keep expectations clear.
Sensory Breaks
Allow escape to a quiet corner if hyper-stimulated by the lights or equipment sounds.
Safe Transitions
Use visual countdowns (e.g., counting 1-5 for stethoscope checks) to provide a clear endpoint.
Mixed-Ability Assessment Rubric
Skill Area Support Level 3 (Emerging) Support Level 2 (Intermediate) Support Level 1 (Independent) Sensory Toler. Needs physical distance to feel comfortable around instruments. Touches tools with physical/verbal prompting. Tolerates simulated stethoscope touch on skin. Coping Choice Accepts passive calming strategy when guided by teacher. Indicates coping preference when visual board is presented. Spontaneously prompts/uses coping strategies when stressed. Pain Rating Points to extreme happy/sad faces to communicate emotion. Identifies visual ranges (low, medium, high) on scale. Accurately reports numerical pain values (1-10) with reason.
MD Mission Toolkit — Lesson Plan & Activities Page 2 of 2
Doctor Visit Social Narrative My Social Story
My Doctor Visit
A predictable story showing exactly what happens at a doctor checkup, and how to stay calm.
Explorer's Name Write name below...
MD Mission Toolkit — Companion Story Book
1
The Waiting Room
Waiting Time
Calm Toy
Quiet Body
Goal: I can sit safely and play quietly.
First, I walk inside the clinic doors. I see chairs, books, and people waiting.
I will sit in a chair. Sometimes I have to wait before my turn, and that is okay! I can squeeze my fidget toy or read my favorite book while I wait.
My Doctor Visit Story Page 2 of 4
2
The Exam Room
Lights Bright and Shiny
Scales & Bed Crunchy Paper
Next, the nurse calls my name. We walk into the checkup room.
The room has bright lights and a special tall bed with crinkly white paper. I will sit on the paper. It makes a funny crunch sound when I sit!
My Doctor Visit Story Page 3 of 4
3
Checkups and Calming
Stethoscope Cold Metal Touch
My Coping Strategy Take Big Breaths
The doctor touches my chest with a round stethoscope. It feels a little bit cold!
If I feel scared, I can look at my Coping Choice Board. I can take deep breaths, squeeze my toy, or count to 5. The checkup is fast and safe!
My Doctor Visit Story Page 4 of 4
Coping Choice Board My Coping Choice Board
Pick a calming tool to help you stay calm and happy!
Calm Kit
My Practice Board
First
Doctor Checkup
Then
My Choice Here
Calming Choices
Belly Breaths
In through the nose, out like a candle
Squeeze a Toy
Squeeze my fidget toy or stress ball
Hold a Hand
Hold onto my adult's warm hand
Count to 5
Count slowly in my head or with fingers
Close My Eyes
Block out the bright overhead lights
Read a Book
Look at calming pictures in my book
Printable Choice Cards (Cut Along Dashed Lines)
Breathing
Squeeze
Hold Hand
Count
Eyes Closed
Book
MD Mission Toolkit — Choice Board Use velcro dots on dashed areas for tactile choice-making.
Interactive Pain Scale The Ouch Meter
Show where your body hurts. Clip, point, or sliding-tag to communicate.
Pain Scale
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
No Pain
1 - 2
"I feel happy. No ouchies here!"
Tiny Ouch
3 - 4
"Just a tiny tickle or little pinch."
Medium
5 - 6
"It hurts. I want a distraction tool."
Hurts Alot
7 - 8
"Hurts a lot. I need a break or help."
Severe
9 - 10
"Worst pain. I can't do anything else."
Practice Scenario Cards (Point & Rate)
A shiny, fun sticker! How much does this hurt?
Expected Rating:Level 1
A cold medical checkup instrument How much does this hurt?
Expected Rating:Level 2 - 3
Peeling off a tight adhesive tape How much does this hurt?
Expected Rating:Level 3 - 5
An immunization needle pinch How much does this hurt?
Expected Rating:Level 6 - 8
Printable Sliding Peg/Clip Indicator
Cut out this pointer, paste on a clothes-peg, and clamp to the correct number bar!
I Feel...
