My Sensory Superpowers: Tune In! - Individual Counseling Script

(Counselor sits with the student in a quiet, comfortable space.)

Introduction (5 minutes)

Counselor: "Hi [Student's Name]! Thanks for coming in today. How are you doing?"

Counselor: "Today, we're going to talk about something really cool: your 'sensory superpowers.' Have you ever thought about how your senses – like seeing, hearing, and touching – help you learn in class?"

Counselor: "Sometimes, our senses can get a little overwhelmed, or maybe they're not getting enough input, and it can make it hard to focus, especially when the teacher is giving directions. Our goal today is to find some personal tools, your very own 'sensory superpowers,' that can help you 'tune in' to your teacher's voice and directions better."

Explore Sensory Input (10 minutes) - Using Sensory Superpowers Slide Deck

Counselor: "Let's look at this Sensory Superpowers Slide Deck together. We all have different senses that bring us information about the world. Can you name some of your senses?"

(Counselor navigates to Slide 2: "What Are My Senses?")

Counselor: "That's right! We have sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. But we also have senses that tell us about movement and where our body is in space, like when we know our hands are above our head even with our eyes closed. Think about being in class. What are some things you see around you? What sounds do you hear?"

(Discuss each sense briefly, asking the student how they experience it in the classroom. Move to Slide 3: "Senses Can Get 'Loud' or 'Quiet'")

Counselor: "Sometimes, these senses can feel 'too loud' – like the hallway sounds are really distracting, or the classroom lights feel too bright. Or, they can feel 'too quiet' – like you feel restless and want to move around. When this happens, it can be really hard to focus on what the teacher is saying, right? Have you ever felt that way?"

(Allow the student to share experiences. Validate their feelings.)

Identify Personal Strategies (10 minutes) - Using My Sensory Toolkit Worksheet

Counselor: "The good news is, we can learn to use special 'tools' or strategies to help our senses feel 'just right,' so you can focus better. Let's look at some ideas on this slide. (Navigate to Slide 4: "My Sensory Tools")"

(Show and demonstrate any physical fidget tools you brought. Talk through the examples on the slide.)

Counselor: "Now, I have a My Sensory Toolkit Worksheet for you. This is where we'll build your personal toolkit. First, let's think about how your senses usually feel in class. Are there times when it's too noisy or you feel like you need to move?"

(Guide the student through the first section of the worksheet.)

Counselor: "Great. Now, looking at the list of strategies, or thinking of your own ideas, which ones do you think might help you feel 'just right' in class? Pick 2 or 3 that you'd be willing to try."

(Help the student select and write down their top 2-3 strategies on the worksheet. If time allows, practice one strategy together, e.g., demonstrate deep breathing or using a fidget.)

Counselor: "How did that feel?"

Plan for Classroom Use & Assign Journal (5 minutes)

Counselor: "So, you've chosen [Strategy 1] and [Strategy 2] (and [Strategy 3, if applicable]). That's awesome! How do you think you could use [Strategy 1] in your classroom, especially when the teacher is giving directions and you feel your senses getting 'loud' or 'quiet'?"

(Brainstorm practical, subtle ways to use the strategies. Emphasize discretion.)

Counselor: "To help you remember and track how these strategies work, I have a Sensory Check-In Journal for you. You can use it after class, or at the end of the day, to write down what you noticed about your senses and if your 'sensory superpowers' helped you focus. We can talk about what you wrote next time."

Counselor: "Remember, these are your personal superpowers to help you learn and feel more comfortable in class. Great job today!"

My Sensory Toolkit: Finding My Focus!

Name: _________________________ Date: ______________

Part 1: How Do My Senses Feel in Class?

Think about being in your classroom. Sometimes our senses can feel like they're helping us focus, and sometimes they can make it hard to listen. Circle the words that describe how your senses sometimes feel in class when it's hard to focus on directions:

My Hearing:

• Too Loud (noisy, distracting sounds)
• Too Quiet (I want more sound/movement)
• Just Right

My Sight:

• Too Bright (lights bother me)
• Too Busy (too much to look at)
• Just Right

My Touch (or Movement):

• Too Restless (I need to move, wiggle)
• Too Still (I feel stuck)
• Just Right

Other Senses (Smell, Taste, Body Awareness):

• Any strong smells?
• Do I like to chew on things?
• Do I bump into things easily?

Part 2: My Sensory Superpower Ideas!

Here are some ideas for