This tool featuring happy to sad or mad faces is called a 5 Point Scale. Its purpose is to help children and adults learn how to recognize when they are starting to feel anxious, upset or mad and how to use strategies to calm down that work for them. It models how I feel, how it looks, and what I need to do when I feel like that.

Each person is unique so the strategies, language and visuals they use may be different. We have provided a sample version of the 5 Point Scale above filled out for one person as an example. You can download a different version that you can customize to your situation.

There are two downloadable versions, one with a first face that is happy, and one that is OK. Some people have a baseline of being happy, while for others being OK is. You can replace the faces and writing with what works for you or your loved one. We have intentionally left Column 4 blank on the downloadable versions for you to type in strategies that are unique to your situation.

Think about what your loved one likes, finds calming, and what types of words and visuals mean the most to them when creating your own 5 Point Scale. Also consider your loved one’s sensory issues (challenges with sounds, bright lights/sun, smells or touch/textures).

You may hear a professional explain that the 5 Point Scale teaches emotional regulation or self regulation. This means learning to understand your emotions, how your emotions may change and how to try to manage your emotions in a positive way.

A school team member, therapist or other professional can help you. The Milestones free autism Helpdesk is here to support you as well.

Here is how to make it your own

Download printable "I am OK" 5 Point Scale.

Download printable "I am Happy" 5 Point Scale.

Column 1, Numbers

These numbers go along with each face to show how the feelings on the face are changing from feeling happy or OK to sad, mad or anxious.

Column 2, Faces Showing How I Feel

Faces that show happy or OK to sad, mad or anxious.

We have provided a sample of a face that gradually expresses from feeling happy or OK to sad, mad or anxious.

You can replace the faces shown here with a photo of your child or loved one, or of a favorite character expressing emotion from happy or OK to sad.

Column 3, How It Looks:

Use words to express how it looks when you or your loved one are feeling happy or OK and when you or they are gradually getting sad, mad or anxious. The words for how it looks will relate to each of the facial expressions next to each one. What is important is to recognize how you feel when you gradually start to feel sad, mad or anxious.

We have given you a sample of words but you can change it to what works best for you, your child or loved one. Think about the words that they will most be able to relate to and that are right for them. What does it feel like to you or them when those feelings are changing?

Column 4, What I Need to Do:

We have left this column blank for you to type in the strategies that work best for you or your loved one. You will see in the sample 5 Point Scale what worked for this person. Think about what words and ideas work best for you or your loved one.

Here are ideas for possible strategies:

• Take a walk.
• Pet my dog/cat.
• Close my eyes and breathe deeply.
• Sit down at a table and put my head down on my folded arms.
• Use a sensory toy or fidget such as a squeeze ball or spinner.
• Bounce on a ball.
• Go to a quiet room if that is available.
• Play a favorite game for 20 minutes and set a timer.
• Call or text with a loved one who is comforting.