Pause Power Social Story Social Narrative Guide
My Super Pause Button Power
Part 1: Discovering My Power
I Have an Invisible Remote Control!
Just like a video game or a video player, my brain has a special PAUSE button . When things happen fast around me or I feel excited, upset, or surprised, I can use my Pause Button to slow down.
Sometimes My Brain Wants to Move at Lightning Speed
Interrupting Words
A thought pops into my head and wants to jump right out of my mouth.
Fast Hands
My hands want to grab a toy, push something, or touch an object immediately.
Big Surge of Energy
My body feels hot, buzzy, or like an engine revving up too loud.
My Body Radar: Clues That Tell Me to Press PAUSE
Self-Check
Fast Heartbeat My chest thumps like a drum.
Tight Fists or Shoulders My muscles feel stiff and clenched.
Loud Voice Volume My words come out sharper or louder.
Tunnel Vision I only see what I want right now.
Having big energy is normal!
Pausing gives my smart brain time to decide what to do next.
Page 1 of 2
The 3-Step Action Plan
How I Use My Stop & Think Power
Part 2: Making Smart Choices
Step 1
STOP: Freeze My Body & Press Pause
Count 1, 2, 3
I freeze my hands and feet like a statue. I take one deep turtle breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. My hands rest in my lap or pockets.
Step 2
THINK: Check the Situation & People
Detective Mode
I ask myself: "What is happening right now? How will my words or actions make others feel?" I look at eyes, mouths, and body language to spot clues.
Step 3
CHOOSE: Pick a Helpful Replacement Action
Green Choice
I choose an action that keeps everyone safe and comfortable. I can ask for a turn, raise my hand, ask for a break, or use my calm-down tools.
What Happens When I Use My Pause Power?
My Friends & Teachers
They feel respected, heard, and safe playing and learning with me.
My Own Feelings
I feel proud and calm because I am in control of my body and choices!
My Superpower Promise
"I can press pause, take a breath, and make a helpful choice."
Signed:
Pause and Play Task Cards Pause & Play Scenario Cards
Cut along dotted lines. Read the situation, spot the clue, and choose the best plan!
Set A • Cards 1–4
Card #1 • Sharing
🎮 Situation: You see your classmate playing with your favorite tablet game during free time. You want it immediately.
Body Clue: Hands reach out fast to snatch it.
Press Pause! What is the best choice?
A. Grab the tablet quickly while they look away.
B. Ask: "Can I have a turn in 3 minutes when you finish?"
C. Yell loudly that it is your turn right now.
🎭 Role-Play: Practice asking with words! ✂️ Cut Card
Card #2 • Classroom
🗣️ Situation: The teacher is explaining a math rule, and you suddenly remember an awesome fact about space rockets.
Body Clue: Words bubbling up to shout out.
Press Pause! What is the best choice?
A. Shout the space fact over the teacher's voice.
B. Make rocket noises until someone looks at you.
C. Jot it on a sticky note and raise hand during sharing.
🎭 Role-Play: Practice writing the note! ✂️ Cut Card
Card #3 • Hallway
🚶 Situation: Walking in line to lunch, a peer accidentally trips and bumps into your shoulder from behind.
Body Clue: Fists clench and chest gets warm.
Press Pause! What is the best choice?
A. Push them back hard so they know not to bump you.
B. Take 1 slow breath and say: "Please give me space."
C. Fall to the ground and refuse to walk to lunch.
🎭 Role-Play: Take 1 breath and say the phrase. ✂️ Cut Card
Card #4 • Playtime
🎲 Situation: You are playing Connect 4, and your friend gets four tokens in a row and wins the match.
Body Clue: Urge to flip the board or knock pieces.
Press Pause! What is the best choice?
A. Knock over the game board and say "Cheater!"
B. Blow out 5 candles on fingers & say "Good game!"
C. Hide the pieces so no one can play again.
🎭 Role-Play: Fist bump and say "Good game!" ✂️ Cut Card
Stop & Think Card Deck • Page 1 of 2
Pause & Play Scenario Cards
Cut along dotted lines. Read the situation, spot the clue, and choose the best plan!
Set B • Cards 5–8
Card #5 • Sensory
📢 Situation: The cafeteria gets extremely loud, and chair legs are scraping the floor. Your head hurts.
Body Clue: Covering ears and wanting to scream.
Press Pause! What is the best choice?
Choice Detective Sorting Worksheet Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________
Choice Detective: Green vs. Red Light
Sort each action into Green Light (Helpful & Safe) or Red Light (Impulsive / Unsafe).
Part 1: Sorting
Green Light Choices
Pause used • Safe body • Kind words
Red Light Choices
Forgot to pause • Fast reaction • Hurts others
Action Strip Bank (Cut & Paste or Write the Letter into boxes above) 6 Total Actions
A. Taking a deep belly breath when my turn is skipped.
B. Grabbing markers directly out of my partner's hand.
C. Shouting out an answer while someone else is speaking.
D. Asking politely: "May I please have that book next?"
E. Showing my teacher the "Help Needed" visual card.
F. Kicking the table leg when the math problem is hard.
⭐ Detective Question: Why does pressing pause help my classmates feel safe?
Social Awareness Bundle • Choice Detective • Page 1 of 2
Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________
Replacement Behavior Toolbox
Match each "Tricky Moment" to the best calm-down replacement action!
Part 2: Tools
Tricky Trigger 1
Someone bumps into me accidentally in line.
➔
Replacement Action
Take 1 step back & say: "I need space please."
Tricky Trigger 2
The classroom gets too loud and sensory noisy.
➔
Replacement Action
Put on noise headphones or show calm-break card.
Tricky Trigger 3
I feel a great idea that I want to shout immediately.
➔
Replacement Action
Write or draw the idea on a thinking notepad.
Tricky Trigger 4
My body feels restless and fidgety during reading time.
➔
Replacement Action
Use a silent sensory squeeze ball or lap pad.
My Personal Calm-Down Super Formula
When I feel upset, my #1 favorite replacement tool to use is:
⭐ Check the 2 people you can show your card to:
Teacher Counselor Friend
Social Awareness Bundle • Choice Detective • Page 2 of 2
Stop and Think Visual Prompt Cards Stop & Think Visual Prompts
Cut out desk reminders, pocket badges, and the 5-finger breathing mat.
Visual Tools • Page 1
✂️ Desktop Visual Strips (Tape to Desk or Notebook) 2 Printable Strips
1. STOP
Freeze hands & feet • Take 1 deep breath
2. THINK
Check faces • Spot body clues
3. CHOOSE
Safe words & helpful plan
1. STOP
Freeze hands & feet • Take 1 deep breath
2. THINK
Check faces • Spot body clues
3. CHOOSE
Safe words & helpful plan
5-Finger Pause Breathing Touch & Trace
Put your hand on the paper. Trace up each finger (breathe IN) and down each finger (breathe OUT).
⬆️ Inhale (Smell Flower) • ⬇️ Exhale (Blow Candle)
1. Thumb 2. Pointer 3. Tall 4. Ring 5. Pinky
"5 slow breaths reset my brain and slow my body."
Keep on desk for sensory calm breaks
Pocket / Lanyard Cards Hole Punch
Pause Button
1. Freeze Body
2. Check Room
3. Pick Safe Plan
Superpower!
Break Signal
"I need 2 minutes in the calm corner to reset."
Show Teacher
Cut out, laminate & clip to lanyard or zipper
Social Awareness Bundle • Visual Prompts & Reminder Cards • Page 1 of 2
Replacement Choices & Star Tracker
Quick visual menu of safe choices plus a daily Pause Power reward tracker.
Visual Tools • Page 2
My 6 Go-To Replacement Choices
Ask for a Turn "Can I have a turn in 2 minutes?"
Turtle Breath Inhale 4s, hold 2s, exhale 4s.
Write Note Jot idea on paper instead of yelling.
Sensory Tools Headphones or quiet squeeze ball.
Step Back Give 2 arm lengths of space.
Ask an Adult "I need help solving this problem."
My 10-Star Pause Power Tracker
Color a star or place a sticker every time you press pause before reacting!
Reward Goal: _______
⭐ Star #1
⭐ Star #2
⭐ Star #3
⭐ Star #4
⭐ Star #5
⭐ Star #6
⭐ Star #7
⭐ Star #8
⭐ Star #9
🏆 Superstar!
"I have the power to press pause and make proud choices!"
Great job practicing today!
Social Awareness Bundle • Visual Prompts & Reminder Cards • Page 2 of 2