*The Incredible 5 Point Scale is used to assist students in becoming aware of their
emotions, such as anger or pain, and the stage or level of the emotion. The
scale can be used with a variety of students but can be particularly affective
for students with Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorder. One to one
instruction is suggested as the best way to introduce this strategy. Using the
scale, the student rates his emotions or status of a condition or state.
Possible areas of focus may include: anger, worry, anxiety, voice level, body
space, etc. This then allows the student to (a) provide information to the
teacher about how he is feeling, (b) become more effective in managing his
thinking process, and (c) implement the desired behavior as a proactive
approach. Giving a number instead of trying to describe or name an emotion
helps students think efficiently in order to make good decisions in a variety
of situations.
Authors Buron
and Curtis (2003) suggest pairing the scale with a story or narrative to
provide additional information about using the scale.
The
following steps may be used when implementing a 5‐Point
Scale with a student
1. Choose the
target behavior. Any kind of behavior or status can be a target
behavior if rating the level or status
of
the behavior enhances adaptability. Anxiety or other feeling that usually
result in problem behaviors
may
also be also targeted for rating.
2. Decide on the
content for each scale point associated with the target behavior.
In the Incredible 5 Point Scale,
each
of the 5 stages represents the level or magnitude Of the target behavior.
3. Develop a
story or visual cue for the story if necessary.
The story or visual cue should be developed
carefully
based
on the student’s interest or level of understanding. It should explain how the
scale is to be used.
4. Introduce the
scale to the student. To
use the scale successfully the student must learn how to discriminate
and
identify each stage
5. Practice the scale
with the student, revising it if necessary.
Peers who understand the student can support her
as
she practices the appropriate behavior or interaction by using the scale.
Adults, including Parents,
Teachers, or other, in the setting, can help by
using the scale with the student in various situations.
*Buron, K. D., & Curtis, M. (2003). The incredible 5‐point scale: Assisting students with autism spectrum disorders in understanding social interactions and controlling their emotions responses. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company.
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