"Your angry feelings are at a 5," the teacher says as she shows a colored visual number scale to a student. "You need to bring them down to a 3." She points to the 3 on the scale, and the student takes a deep breath and starts to count to 10. This is the concept of the 5-point scale in action, and it is very successful in helping students with autism monitor and de-escalate their behaviors.
The Incredible 5-Point Scale
Developed by Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Beth Curtis in 2003, The Incredible 5-Point Scale is the official name of a visual creation designed to help students with autism monitor and control their behavior. Various levels of a behavior are assigned a number on the scale, usually with the most severe level being a 5, and the most appropriate levels a 2 or 3. For instance, take a look at the case of a child who is given a challenging math assignment. With a 5 being assigned as "I'm not ready for this- I can't handle it" to a 1 being "This is super easy- no problem for me to complete!", the child is able to communicate his ability to handle the assignment, thereby preventing a meltdown when faced with something challenging.
How Do I Teach the 5-Point Scale?
The 5-point scale is not effective if the student does not understand it. Direct instruction using different behaviors is required. When teaching a student with autism about the scale, it is best to use drawings of emotions and "bubble talk" next to each number. A lesson about the scale could be presented like this:
TEACHER: When you are happy and in control, and everything is going great, how do you feel?
STUDENT: I feel happy, relaxed, calm. (Also points to emotion pictures to express controlled feelings.)
TEACHER: What are some things you do when you feel happy and in control?
STUDENT: I smile, draw and play.
TEACHER: This is how a "1" on the scale looks. (Points to green #1 on scale.) A "1" is calm and happy. You are smiling and relaxed, doing things you like to do. Draw a picture next to the 1 of you being in control.
This lesson continues with each level of the scale. A 5 on the scale is red, reflecting a total loss of control for the student. It involves equating items that send the student into a meltdown state. When teaching the scale, it is important to give the student methods to de-escalate to a smaller number. For example, if the student is at a 5, they need to learn to equate deep breathing, closing eyes, using a "help" card, and employing learned relaxation techniques. For the numbers 5, 4 and 3, students should be taught a method at each level that allows them an "out" to go down the scale. After the scale has been taught, practice through role-play. The more students practice the scale, the better the response when faced with a real situation.
Uses of The Incredible 5-Point Scale
The wonderful thing about the 5-point scale is that it can be applied to virtually any behavior. It is used successfully at our learning center for voice modulation (going from too loud to appropriate to quiet), anger de-escalation, completion of assignments (staying on-task), space proximity, anxiety reduction, and interaction with other students. Visit The Incredible 5-Point Scale for more uses and examples of the scale. This site also has free downloads to get you started on your 5-point scale adventures!
A 5-point scale can be a useful tool in teaching students with autism how to control their emotions and behaviors. Various levels of behavioral states are equated with numbers on a visual scale, and students learn to modify their behaviors as they work their way down the scale. It is important to use direct one-to-one instruction to teach children with autism how to use the scale effectively. The 5-point scale has been highly successful with students with Asperger Syndrome and classic autism. It is an excellent behavior tool that can make life easier and much more manageable for students, teachers, and families.
Reference:
Buron, Kari. The Incredible 5-Point Scale
Tina Halbert - Tina M. Halbert, M.Ed., NBCT
Join the Conversation