Gentle Hands Slides
Gentle Hands
Mis Manos son Amables
Sometimes I hear "No"
I want to play! I want the toy!
But Teacher says "Wait" or "No."
A veces escucho "No" o "Espera".
I feel frustrated!
Stop My Fast Hands
No Hitting / No Pegar
Gentle Hands / Manos Suaves
Hitting hurts. I keep my hands safe.
Las manos fuertes duelen. Mis manos están seguras.
Practice: Hands to Self
Clasp My Hands
Put your hands together.
Hold them tight in front of you.
Junta mis manos y sostenlas.
"Hands to Self"
Show What You Need
"Help, please"
"Ayuda, por favor"
"Break please"
"Descanso, por favor"
"Take a breath"
"Respira"
Role Play: I want to play!
Teacher says:
"No iPad. Wait."
La maestra dice: "No iPad. Espera."
My Choice:
- Hands to Self
- Point to "Break"
I can do it!
Gentle Hands Toolbook
Gentle Hands Board
Functional Communication & Sensory Tool
Name:
Help
Ayuda
Break please
Un descanso, por favor
Wait
Espera
Done
Terminé
Squeeze
Apretar
Wall Push
Empujar pared
Breathe
Respirar
Fidget
Juguete
"I STOP my hands and POINT."
Detengo mis manos y señalo.
My Social Story
Teacher says "No".
La maestra dice "No".
I feel frustrated.
Me siento frustrado.
Hands to self.
Manos a mí mismo.
Hands to Self Practice
Clasp My Hands
Keep your hands busy and safe.
Mantén tus manos ocupadas y seguras.
Role Play 1
"iPad time is finished."
Practice Hands to Self
Role Play 2
"Wait for your turn."
Practice Hands to Self
Gentle Hands Teacher Guide
Gentle Hands Facilitation Guide
Instructional Script & Pacing for Role-Play Intensive
Learning Objective
Students will perform the "Hands to Self" clasping technique and select a communication strategy when presented with a simulated "denied access" trigger.
Pacing Overview
- 0-5 min: Social Story (Slides 1-3)
- 5-10 min: "Hands to Self" Technique (Slide 4)
- 10-20 min: Role Play & Choice Board (Slide 5-6)
1. Social Story (5 min)
Goal: Connect the language of "Gentle Hands" used at home to the classroom context.
"Your family uses Gentle Hands at home, and we use Gentle Hands at school. Sometimes we hear 'No'. It feels hard. We feel mad. But we keep our hands safe."
Bilingual Support:
- "Manos amables. Como en casa."
- "A veces escuchamos 'no'. Está bien estar enojado, pero usamos manos amables."
2. Technique: "Hands to Self" (5 min)
Goal: Master the physical movement of clasping hands to prevent impulsive hitting.
Procedure: Show Slide 4. Model clasping your hands tightly in front of your stomach.
- Action: "Hands together. Clasp them tight. Hands to self."
- Language: Use the phrase "Hands to self" consistently. If the student's hands move toward you, immediately prompt "Hands to self" and model the clasp.
- Reinforcement: Verbal praise or preferred visual token for holding the clasp for 5+ seconds.
3. Role Play & Simulation (10 min)
Goal: Generalize the technique to real-world triggers.
Refer to Slide 6 and Page 3 of the Toolbook.
Simulation Script:
"Let's pretend I say 'Wait' for the iPad. Oh no! You feel frustrated. Show me Hands to Self. (Prompt student to clasp hands). Good job! Now show me what you need on your board."
Safety & Success:
Impulsive students move fast. Stay at arm's length during the 'trigger' phase. Catch the impulse early and redirect it to the 'Hands to Self' clasp before it becomes a hit.
