Spoon Thieves @ School (Digital)
WHAT ARE SPOON THIEVES @ SCHOOL?
Spoon Thieves @ School is a digital deck of cards depicting the daily activities, situations, and demands that use up the mental, physical and emotional resources of autistic and ADHD students. Based on Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino), the Spoon Thieves @ School cards assist neurodivergent kids and teens to communicate about their energy, and what depletes it.
The text is clear and direct, and each card is illustrated to assist with communication and shared understanding. These cards were designed by a neurodivergent psychologist, to enable exploration of autistic and ADHD energy, and what uses it up at school.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This resource can be used with children and teenagers, depending on the capacity of the person to understand the language and concepts shown on each card. For younger students or those with intellectual disability, I would suggest using a subset of the cards that you feel are most relevant.
The Spoon Thieves @ School cards are intended to enable more thorough exploration of neurodivergent kids’ and teens’ experiences of school, than the original Spoon Thieves decks (which are relevant to school, home, and community activities and experiences). The deck contains 15 cards that are found in the original Spoon Thieves Deck, and the remaining 35 cards look more deeply at experiences, thoughts, and concerns about school.
HOW DO I USE IT?
In a therapy setting, the cards can be used to explore which particular activities, situations, and experiences use up the most spoons for autistic and/or ADHD students. Paired with a set of spoons (disposable ones are great as they can be written on and given to the person to keep), the cards can be laid out and categorised according to whether they use up a little or a lot of spoons.
The cards are designed to be used flexibly to suit the setting and needs of the individual. They can improve communication, and help build self-understanding and self-awareness. They are ideal for helping parents and family members to understand the lived experience of their loved one, and can be used to inform changes to reduce overwhelm, dysregulation, and meltdowns. For families, the Spoon Thieves cards can be used to increase understanding of what is challenging, difficult or impossible for their child or young person, and where support is needed most.
For schools, the Spoon Thieves @ School cards can be used to educate at the classroom or whole-of-school level, while also providing valuable insights into individual students, their challenges, and support needs. When used effectively (in conjunction with appropriate accommodations and supports) Spoon Thieves @ School can help to reduce emotional dysregulation, sensory overwhelm, meltdowns, and demand avoidance, leading to calmer classrooms. They are essential for ‘School Can’t’ students, helping families and educators work together so that neurodivergent students feel safe at school. They also provide amazing conversation and reflection points for staff development days, enhancing shared understanding and consistency of autism and ADHD supports provided throughout the school environment, and helping parents to feel that your school understands their child.
WHAT ARE SPOON THIEVES @ SCHOOL?
Spoon Thieves @ School is a digital deck of cards depicting the daily activities, situations, and demands that use up the mental, physical and emotional resources of autistic and ADHD students. Based on Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino), the Spoon Thieves @ School cards assist neurodivergent kids and teens to communicate about their energy, and what depletes it.
The text is clear and direct, and each card is illustrated to assist with communication and shared understanding. These cards were designed by a neurodivergent psychologist, to enable exploration of autistic and ADHD energy, and what uses it up at school.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This resource can be used with children and teenagers, depending on the capacity of the person to understand the language and concepts shown on each card. For younger students or those with intellectual disability, I would suggest using a subset of the cards that you feel are most relevant.
The Spoon Thieves @ School cards are intended to enable more thorough exploration of neurodivergent kids’ and teens’ experiences of school, than the original Spoon Thieves decks (which are relevant to school, home, and community activities and experiences). The deck contains 15 cards that are found in the original Spoon Thieves Deck, and the remaining 35 cards look more deeply at experiences, thoughts, and concerns about school.
HOW DO I USE IT?
In a therapy setting, the cards can be used to explore which particular activities, situations, and experiences use up the most spoons for autistic and/or ADHD students. Paired with a set of spoons (disposable ones are great as they can be written on and given to the person to keep), the cards can be laid out and categorised according to whether they use up a little or a lot of spoons.
The cards are designed to be used flexibly to suit the setting and needs of the individual. They can improve communication, and help build self-understanding and self-awareness. They are ideal for helping parents and family members to understand the lived experience of their loved one, and can be used to inform changes to reduce overwhelm, dysregulation, and meltdowns. For families, the Spoon Thieves cards can be used to increase understanding of what is challenging, difficult or impossible for their child or young person, and where support is needed most.
For schools, the Spoon Thieves @ School cards can be used to educate at the classroom or whole-of-school level, while also providing valuable insights into individual students, their challenges, and support needs. When used effectively (in conjunction with appropriate accommodations and supports) Spoon Thieves @ School can help to reduce emotional dysregulation, sensory overwhelm, meltdowns, and demand avoidance, leading to calmer classrooms. They are essential for ‘School Can’t’ students, helping families and educators work together so that neurodivergent students feel safe at school. They also provide amazing conversation and reflection points for staff development days, enhancing shared understanding and consistency of autism and ADHD supports provided throughout the school environment, and helping parents to feel that your school understands their child.
WHAT ARE SPOON THIEVES @ SCHOOL?
Spoon Thieves @ School is a digital deck of cards depicting the daily activities, situations, and demands that use up the mental, physical and emotional resources of autistic and ADHD students. Based on Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino), the Spoon Thieves @ School cards assist neurodivergent kids and teens to communicate about their energy, and what depletes it.
The text is clear and direct, and each card is illustrated to assist with communication and shared understanding. These cards were designed by a neurodivergent psychologist, to enable exploration of autistic and ADHD energy, and what uses it up at school.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This resource can be used with children and teenagers, depending on the capacity of the person to understand the language and concepts shown on each card. For younger students or those with intellectual disability, I would suggest using a subset of the cards that you feel are most relevant.
The Spoon Thieves @ School cards are intended to enable more thorough exploration of neurodivergent kids’ and teens’ experiences of school, than the original Spoon Thieves decks (which are relevant to school, home, and community activities and experiences). The deck contains 15 cards that are found in the original Spoon Thieves Deck, and the remaining 35 cards look more deeply at experiences, thoughts, and concerns about school.
HOW DO I USE IT?
In a therapy setting, the cards can be used to explore which particular activities, situations, and experiences use up the most spoons for autistic and/or ADHD students. Paired with a set of spoons (disposable ones are great as they can be written on and given to the person to keep), the cards can be laid out and categorised according to whether they use up a little or a lot of spoons.
The cards are designed to be used flexibly to suit the setting and needs of the individual. They can improve communication, and help build self-understanding and self-awareness. They are ideal for helping parents and family members to understand the lived experience of their loved one, and can be used to inform changes to reduce overwhelm, dysregulation, and meltdowns. For families, the Spoon Thieves cards can be used to increase understanding of what is challenging, difficult or impossible for their child or young person, and where support is needed most.
For schools, the Spoon Thieves @ School cards can be used to educate at the classroom or whole-of-school level, while also providing valuable insights into individual students, their challenges, and support needs. When used effectively (in conjunction with appropriate accommodations and supports) Spoon Thieves @ School can help to reduce emotional dysregulation, sensory overwhelm, meltdowns, and demand avoidance, leading to calmer classrooms. They are essential for ‘School Can’t’ students, helping families and educators work together so that neurodivergent students feel safe at school. They also provide amazing conversation and reflection points for staff development days, enhancing shared understanding and consistency of autism and ADHD supports provided throughout the school environment, and helping parents to feel that your school understands their child.