A four-week counseling sequence designed to help a 3rd-grade scholar with Autism navigate conflicts, manage triggers like recess boundaries and hearing 'no', and collaborate with peers using engaging video game analogies and visual supports.
Counselor Script: "We are going to play a mini basketball shoot-out. If you win, awesome! If I win, we are going to practice saying our cheat-code phrase: 'Good game, let's play again.' Let's try it. (Play the game and roleplay). Excellent! You kept your body calm and said those words like a pro."
Phase 3: Transition & Wrap-Up (5 Minutes)
Step 5: Transition & Recess Quest Card 5 Min
Establish a concrete weekly quest for recess. Inform the playground monitor or classroom teacher about the specific target phrases.
Counselor Script: "Your quest card for this week is 'Friendly Play Mode' at recess! If you want to join a game, use your script: 'Can I join?' If someone asks to share, say 'Sure!' I will check in with your teacher to see if you earn your next club badge. Let's do our secret handshake!"
Autism Accommodations & Implementation Tips
Role-play Visuals: When practicing "Can I play?", have the student physically hold a card showing the words. This reduces the mental effort needed to formulate speech.
Recess Buddy: Coordinate with the teacher to pair the scholar with a structured "Playground Buddy" who knows how to respond to the target phrase.
Immediate Reinforcement: Provide a stamp or sticker immediately after sessions to reinforce success.
LEVEL UP CLUB • Counselor Resources Page 2 of 2
Choice B:
What is the "Friendly Mode" choice?
CARD 3 Swing Sharing
You are swinging high on the swings. A classmate stands nearby and says: "Can I swing next?"
Choice A: Swing even higher and say "No, I was here first!"
Choice B: Say "I will swing 5 more times, then you can have it!"
What is the "Friendly Mode" choice?
CARD 4 Tag Boundary
You are playing tag. You run up and tag your friend hard on their back, pushing them forward.
Choice A: Keep running and laugh loudly because you tagged them.
Choice B: Use a soft tag next time. Say "Sorry!" if you tagged too hard.
What is the "Friendly Mode" choice?
LEVEL UP CLUB • SOCIAL STORY KIT Page 2 of 2
Step 4: Active Roleplay & Limit Practice 8 Min
Practice telling the scholar "no" during a fun low-stakes game. This desensitizes them to the trigger and makes practicing the calm phrase a muscle memory.
Counselor Script: "We're going to build a small tower with these blocks. During the game, I'm going to say 'No, you can't use that blue block' or 'No, block building is over.' Every time I say 'no', I want you to hit your Pause Button, take a big breath, and say 'Okay, I can wait.' Ready? Let's try it!"
Phase 3: Transition & Wrap-Up (5 Minutes)
Step 5: Transition & Pause Quest Card 5 Min
Introduce the week's quest. The scholar earns points by using the "Pause Button" phrase when told "no" by their teacher or parents.
Counselor Script: "You are now a Pause Button master! Your quest this week is to hit your Pause Button and say 'Okay' when your teacher says 'no' or tells you it's time to clean up. I am going to give your teacher a 'Pause Button Card' so she can remind you to use your secret power. Let's do our Level Up secret handshake!"
Autism Accommodations & Implementation Tips
Pre-Correction: Have the teacher prompt the student *before* setting a limit: "Alex, I am going to set a limit in 1 minute. Get your Pause Button ready."
Somatic Anchor: Encourage the student to physically push a button on their desk (a taped-down picture of a pause button or a fidget button) when told 'no'.
Praise Effort: Even if the student grumbles but keeps safe hands, praise them heavily: "I love how you hit your Pause Button and kept your hands safe!"
LEVEL UP CLUB • Counselor Resources Page 2 of 2
Choice A: Push their arm or grab the toy car from their hand when they aren't looking.
Choice B: Press your palm "Pause Button", breathe, and say: "Okay, let me know when you are done."
What is the "Pause Button" choice?
CARD 3 iPad is Closed
You are playing a math game on the iPad. The teacher says: "Time to turn off iPads and get out science notebooks."
Choice A: Keep playing anyway and refuse to close the iPad when the teacher walks over.
Choice B: Click the power button to lock the screen, take a deep breath, and slide it into the bin.
What is the "Pause Button" choice?
CARD 4 Lunch Time Over
You are still eating your delicious cookie, but the lunch monitor says: "Table 4, stand up and throw your trash away."
Choice A: Sit in your chair, ignore the monitor, and refuse to throw away your trash.
Choice B: Take one last bite of your cookie, stand up with safe feet, and walk to the trash can.
What is the "Pause Button" choice?
LEVEL UP CLUB • SOCIAL STORY KIT Page 2 of 2
Step 4: Practice Sharing Supplies & Joint Task 8 Min
Conduct a shared art activity (coloring the final certificate). Counselor purposefully holds the markers and prompts the student to use the target phrases.
Counselor Script: "We are going to color in your final Level Up Certificate. In this Multiplayer round, we have to share these three markers. Oh, look, I have the purple marker. Can you ask nicely to use it? (Wait for student: 'Can I use that marker?'). Perfect! Here you go. Thank you for using your safe words."
Phase 3: Graduation & Celebration (5 Minutes)
Step 5: Award Certificate & Wrap-Up 5 Min
Present the completed Team Player Certificate. Celebrate the achievement with a certificate ceremony. Provide a visual token/badge for classroom use.
Counselor Script: "You did it, Player 1! You beat all 4 levels of the Level Up Club. You have safe hands, you use your Pause Button, and you play beautifully in Multiplayer Mode. I am officially awarding you your Master Player Badge! Take this certificate back to show your teacher and class. Let's do a double high-five!"
Generalization & IEP Support Tips
Supply Organization: In the classroom, place shared supplies in a central "Multiplayer Tray" rather than individual desks, giving clear structural cues for sharing.
Role Clarity: When assigning partner work, ensure the teacher assigns *explicit visual roles* (e.g., "Player 1 writes, Player 2 reads") to reduce collaboration anxiety.
Self-Monitoring: Have the student stick a small mini-meter sticker to their desk or laptop to remind them of their Level Up status.
