Supporting a Child Who Feels Different
Use fictional examples. Leave out diagnoses, medical information, names, passwords and contact details.
Learning goal: Listen and support belonging without requiring conformity.
A child says their communication or interests differ from classmates. Validate the feeling, ask what they want adults to know and offer chosen belonging/support options. Use a fictional or de-identified example here; the learner controls what to share.
- Use a fictional example or discuss the situation without identifying a child.
- Complete each planning section with the learner’s choices at the center.
- Select one feasible change, who will provide it and when you will check it.
- Keep any completed paper privately; do not use it to diagnose, rank or label a learner.
Grades 3–5 support: Use the prompts and examples, or explain your ideas in your own way. Ask for words, a scribe or one direction at a time.
Understand the goal and access
Validate the feeling, ask what they want adults to know and offer chosen belonging/support options. Separate the thinking goal from an access barrier.
Meaningful learning goal or interest
Barrier or preference to check with the learner
Supporting a Child Who Feels Different
Choose an action together
Invite the learner’s response in their preferred communication mode. Choose one feasible change and an adult responsibility.
Learner’s choice or question
Support action, responsible adult and timing
Optional deeper thinking · Grades 6–8
Compare two support choices for the same intellectually demanding goal and identify how the learner’s preferences shape the decision.
Supporting a Child Who Feels Different
Review and keep it respectful
Do not require eye contact, masking or friendship; serious distress needs appropriate trusted/professional support. Decide how you will check the support with the learner, not just compliance or speed.
Evidence of access or participation to look for
Review question and next adjustment
My next step
What will I try, and who can support it? Write, draw, dictate, sign or use AAC.
Supporting a Child Who Feels Different
Accessibility & alternative responses
Use selectable text, clear headings, AAC/partner-assisted participation, read-aloud or large print as chosen. Keep completed plans private; no diagnosis or medical details are needed.
Teacher facilitation
Validate the feeling, ask what they want adults to know and offer chosen belonging/support options. Do not require eye contact, masking or friendship; serious distress needs appropriate trusted/professional support.
Family-use suggestion
Validate the feeling, ask what they want adults to know and offer chosen belonging/support options. Do not require eye contact, masking or friendship; serious distress needs appropriate trusted/professional support.
Specialist formats
These printouts are not Braille. Embossed Braille and specialist tactile materials need qualified, technically validated production. The accessible digital version supplies structured text, not a specialist-format substitute.