Choice Maps: Visuals for positive choices & perspective taking PLUS social story

Students with autism or any elementary student who needs extra support for social-emotional and behavior skills can benefit from visuals that help them to understand that the choices they make affect their day, their feelings and the people around them. Often children make choices without considering the outcome and are then surprised or confused when other kids don't want to play with them or grown-ups seem unhappy. It can sometimes be challenging to help students to slow down and consider the choices they are making. Using a visual choice map (also known as contingency maps or consequence maps) can help them to see how different choices make others think and feel, predict what might happen because of their choices and imagine how they themselves will feel as a result.

The visual choice maps in this product can be used in a variety of ways to meet the needs of students K-5. They can be utilized when problems arise to help students make a choice that will lead to a positive outcome. They can also be used after a student has made a not-so-great choice to help them understand what other people were thinking and feeling because of their choice. When used reflectively in this way, it can help the student to understand what happened as a result of their choice and gives them a chance to check in with how they currently feel. The student can then work with an adult to come up with an alternate choice they could have made that would have had a more positive outcome. This helps students improve their perspective taking and encourages them to slow down and think before they act.

The choice maps can be laminated and reused or they can be printed and saved after writing on them . If you save the choice maps, the student can reference them in the future to help them to make positive choices when similar situations arise. This is very helpful for students who repeatedly demonstrate the same behavior and need help replacing that behavior with a positive alternative.

A social story is included to help students start thinking about their choices and can assist with introducing the choice maps. Choice maps that are filled in with sample content are also included to help you visualize how they might be used.

Product includes:

• 8.5 X 11 full color visual of a choice map that can be used as a poster or laminated and written on as needed.
• 3 smaller versions of the same choice map that can be printed on card stock, laminated and used with students to explain or predict the results of their choices.
• 3 full page simplified versions of choice maps with less graphics.
• 2 full page versions of choice maps for slightly older elementary students.
• 16 half-page social story about making choices.
• 2 sample choice maps filled out as examples.

In my Autterpaw Press store, you can also find visuals and social narratives to support Taking a Break, controlling Voice Volume, and handling difficult situations such as in I Raised My Hand But Didn't Get Called or Sometimes People Don't Follow the Rules.

Do you teach in a self-contained classroom? Find a great supply of visuals and quick information for para-educators in The Visual Guide to Positive Behavior Supports and Problem Solving.