School Story Book My School Story Page 1 of 4
My School
Adventure Book
A visual guide to help me stay safe, learn new things, and talk about my big feelings at school!
This book belongs to:
Parents & Teachers: Read this story with the child repeatedly before the school year starts. Direct language and positive modeling help build predictability.
Chapter 1: My Safe Body Page 2 of 4
➔
I Stay with My Teachers
School has many rooms and halls, but my classroom is my safe home. My teachers love me and need to see me so I stay safe.
If I feel like running or want to leave the room, I stop. I remember: "My body stays inside with my group." If I need to go somewhere, I will hold my teacher's hand or ask first.
Safe Language to Practice:
"I want to go to the hallway, please." or "Can I walk with you?"
My Safety Rule: I Stay with My Group
Chapter 2: Learning & Fun Page 3 of 4
1st: Work Time
I try my best on activities!
2nd: Play Time
I play with toys & friends!
Learning is Part of My Day
At school, we do many different things. Sometimes we play with blocks or run outside. This is fun!
Sometimes we sit at our tables and learn letters, numbers, or drawing. This is work. Doing my school work helps my brain grow smart. It is okay if work feels hard at first—I can always ask for help.
What I can say if I need help:
"I need help with this, please."
My School Routine: First Work, Then Play
Chapter 3: My Big Feelings Page 4 of 4
BLUE ZONE
Sad / Tired
GREEN ZONE
Happy / Calm
YELLOW ZONE
Excited / Silly
RED ZONE
Angry / Scared
All My Feelings Are Okay!
At school, my body might feel different emotions. I can use color-coding to show how I feel! No matter my color, my teachers will help me.
If my feeling is too big (Yellow or Red Zone), I don't have to run away. Instead, I can use nice words to ask for a safe break. Taking a break helps my body get back to the calm Green Zone.
Nice Words to Ask for a Break:
"I am in the Yellow Zone. Can I have a break, please?"
"I need a quiet break, please."
My Feelings Rule: I Ask for Breaks
First Then Visual Schedule My School Transitions
First / Then & Daily Schedule Boards
Page 1 of 2
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________________
Visual Board
First / Then Board
FIRST
Place "Work"
Card Here VELCRO DOT
THEN
Place "Play/Reward"
Card Here VELCRO DOT
My Schedule Timeline
Move completed cards from left to right, or place schedule cards here sequentially:
Step 1 Velcro
Step 2 Velcro
Step 3 Velcro
Step 4 Velcro
How to Prepare: Cut out the schedule cards on Page 2. Laminate Page 1 and the cards. Put soft-side loop velcro dots on the blank slots, and rough-side hook velcro dots on the back of each cutout card.
Visual Schedule Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Laminate for durability.
Page 2 of 2
Routine
Going to School
I arrive safely
Group
Circle Time
Sitting with friends
Work
Desk Work
Writing & learning
Break
Quiet Space
Calm body break
Routine
Lunch Time
Eating and energy
Play
Recess
Playing outside
Work
Math Time
Numbers & counters
Break
Sensory Walk
Walking with teacher
Work
Art Time
Painting and colors
Routine
Clean Up
Putting toys away
Routine
Pack Backpack
Putting things in bag
Routine
Going Home
Seeing family!
Cut along dotted lines to create 12 physical cards
Feelings Break Board My Feelings & Breaks
Color-coded emotional expression board
Page 1 of 2
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________________
Blue Zone
Slow
Sad
Tired
Sick
Bored
I need rest or comfort.
Green Zone
Good to Go
Happy
Calm
Focused
Proud
I am ready to learn!
Yellow Zone
Slow Down
Excited
Silly
Frustrated
Anxious
I need a helper break.
Red Zone
Stop
Angry
Terrified
Out of Control
I need an instant break.
Talk Script
I can use nice words to talk about how I feel:
I can say:
"I feel _______."
I can request:
"Break, please."
Praise Success: Every time the student references this board to report emotions or request a break using their words instead of eloping, immediately reward them with their requested break choice!
Feelings & Break Choice Cut-Outs
Cut along the dotted lines. Laminate and add velcro on the back.
Page 2 of 2
Feeling
Blue Zone
I feel blue
Feeling
Green Zone
I feel green
Feeling
Yellow Zone
I feel yellow
Feeling
Red Zone
I feel red
Break choice
Quiet Spot
Sitting quietly
Break choice
Sensory Toy
Fidgets or slime
Break choice
Walk
Stretching legs
Break choice
Drawing
Paper and crayons
Break choice
Drink Water
Cold water drink
Break choice
Deep Breaths
In and out
Break choice
Stack Blocks
Quiet building
Break choice
Teacher Help
I need my teacher
Cut along dotted lines to create 12 physical cards
School Prep Teacher Guide School Prep Facilitation Guide
Evidence-Based Autistic Support Strategies
Page 1 of 2
Purpose & Objectives
This guide is designed for teachers, aides, and parents to help the child transition into a structured school setting. By establishing a shared vocabulary, utilizing physical visual aids, and employing preemptive support strategies, you can reduce anxiety and encourage compliance.
1 Using the Visual Schedule & First/Then Boards
Daily Predictability
Review the daily timeline with the student each morning. Point to each card, read it aloud, and let them touch it. Pre-activity reminders dramatically decrease transition anxiety.
First/Then Motivation
Use the "First/Then" board to make non-preferred work tasks predictable. Ensure the "Then" reward card is genuinely reinforcing to encourage starting non-preferred academic tasks.
2 Elopement (Runner) Prevention Protocols
Physical Boundary Setting
Place bright, visible color tape (such as blue painters' tape) on the floor 3 feet before any classroom door. Teach this line as a "red light" boundary marker.
Sensory / Run Mitigation
Elopement is usually a response to feeling overwhelmed (escape behavior) or needing motion (sensory-seeking). If the child looks ready to bolt, redirect immediately to the Feelings Break Board .
Quick Tip: Model the scripted verbal break requests daily during transitions.
Support & Communication
Scripting & Behavioral De-escalation Sheets
Page 2 of 2
3 Implementing the Color Feelings Board
Daily Color Status Checks
During morning assembly, transitions, or immediately after worksheets, hand the student the Feelings Break Board . Ask: "What color is your body in right now?" Let them point to or place their card on the zone.
Reinforcing Functional Communication (FCT)
If the student communicates their zone and requests a break verbally or using the script card, immediately grant the break . This teaches the child that speaking/using nice words is more powerful and effective than running or shouting.
4 Classroom Setup & Pre-Transition Checklist
Environment Checklist:
Velcro scheduled on the desks
Quiet sensory corner prepared
Red/Green lights on door exits
Visual timers on hand
Adult Scripting Prompts:
When student is Yellow or Red, speak in low, slow, short phrases . Avoid saying "Calm down" or "Why did you run?"
School Prep Slides My School Journey Slide 1 of 6
My School
Adventure Starts!
Let's learn how to stay safe, do our best, and talk about our big feelings with nice words.
Ready to explore school? Let's go!
Chapter 1: The School Day Slide 2 of 6
What is School Like?
School is a special place built just for kids! Every day, we have a routine. We do the same healthy things to help our bodies and brains grow.
We say hello, do activities, eat yummy lunch, play outside, and have story time!
Classroom
Our learning base
Routine
Knowing what's next
We follow our schedule step-by-step.
Chapter 2: Staying Safe Slide 3 of 6
I Stay in My Safe Classroom
My classroom is full of friends, fun, and teachers who care about me. They always need to see me to keep me safe.
If I feel like running, I stop my body. I remember: "My body stays with my group!"
Safe Body
I stay inside with my teacher and friends.
Unsafe Running
Running out of the door is not safe.
If I want to leave, I can hold my teacher's hand and ask nicely.
Chapter 3: Work & Play Slide 4 of 6
We Work, and We Play!
At school, we have work time and play time. Work time is when we sit at our desks and learn. This helps our brains grow strong!
After work time is done, it is play time! We get to use toys, blocks, and run around at recess.
FIRST
Desk Work
THEN
Fun Play
Doing my work helps me learn and grow!
Chapter 4: Feelings Slide 5 of 6
My Feelings Have Colors!
Blue Zone
Sad, Tired, or Sick body
Green Zone
Happy, Calm, Ready to Learn
Yellow Zone
Excited, Silly, or Frustrated
Red Zone
Angry, Scared, Mad body
Every single color is okay. We will help each other feel good!
Chapter 5: My Words Slide 6 of 6
I Can Ask for a Break!
If my feeling is too big (Yellow or Red Zone), I don't have to run away. Instead, I can use nice words to ask for a safe sensory break.
Taking a break helps my body get back to the happy, ready Green Zone!
Words I Can Say:
"I need a break, please."
"I feel Yellow Zone. Help please."