Peace Pocket Cards Peace Pocket Cards
Visual tools for calm and focus
Name: ________
Date: ________
Square Breath
Breathe In (4)
Hold (4)
Breathe Out (4)
Hold (4)
Trace the box with your finger. Count to 4 for each side.
Hand Breath
Trace your fingers. Breathe in as you go up, breathe out as you go down.
Balloon Breath
Hands on your belly. Breathe in to fill the balloon. Breathe out to let air out.
Mountain Breath
Breathe in: reach high like a peak. Breathe out: lower arms slowly.
Squeeze & Relax
Squeeze your muscles tight like a statue. Hold... then let them go floppy like a noodle.
Strong Roots
Push your feet hard into the floor. Feel the floor holding you up. You are grounded.
Look & Find
3 Things
2 Sounds
1 Touch
Find items in the room. This helps your brain focus on the "now."
Wall Push
Push against the wall with both hands. Use your strength. Push for 10 seconds.
Cut out along the dashed lines. Laminate for durability. Use when feeling big emotions.
Peace Pocket Teacher Guide Peace Pocket Guide
Supporting Students with Autism through Visual Regulation
Purpose
These visual cards provide concrete, low-demand strategies for students to use when experiencing sensory overload or emotional frustration. For students on the spectrum, verbal instructions can often be difficult to process during high-stress moments. These visuals reduce cognitive load.
Preparation
Print on heavy cardstock and laminate.
Cut along the dashed lines.
Punch a hole in the corner and secure with a metal ring or "peace pocket" pouch.
Ensure the student has easy access (on their desk, on a lanyard, or in a designated "calm corner").
Strategy Highlights
Breathing Visuals
Use these to slow the heart rate. The tracing elements (Square/Hand) provide tactile feedback that helps keep focus on the breath.
Heavy Work
The Wall Push and Strong Roots provide proprioceptive input, which is often calming for students with sensory processing needs.
Grounding
Look & Find shifts the student's attention from internal distress to their external environment, breaking the cycle of frustration.
Progressive Relaxation
Squeeze & Relax helps students identify the physical difference between tension and calm in their own bodies.
Teaching the Strategies
Teach during calm moments: Never introduce a card when a student is already escalated. Practice when they are happy and focused.
Model the behavior: Sit with the student and do the "Balloon Breath" or "Wall Push" together. Use "I" statements: "I'm feeling a little tired, I'm going to use my Strong Roots card."
Limit Choices: If the full deck is overwhelming, start with just 2 cards (one breathing, one physical). Let the student choose their "Power Pair."
Observation Log
Date Trigger Card Used Effectiveness (1-5)
Peace Pocket Slides Finding Your Calm
How to use your Peace Pocket Cards
How Do You Feel?
The "Red Zone"
Feeling frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed. Your body feels tight.
The "Calm Zone"
Feeling ready to learn, relaxed, and focused. Your body feels light.
Square Breath
Breathe In (4)
Hold (4)
Breathe Out (4)
Hold (4)
1. Start at the top left corner.
2. Move your finger across as you breathe.
3. Go slow. Count: 1... 2... 3... 4.
Strong Roots
Stand tall or sit straight.
Push your feet into the ground as hard as you can.
Imagine you are a giant oak tree that cannot be moved.
When to use your cards?
When it's too loud
When work is hard
When you need a break
Your Peace Pocket is always with you!
