Feelings Communication Board for Adults
14 feelings an adult can point to, from happy and calm to worried and overwhelmed. Yes and No on top. Print it free or change any cell.
- 20 cells
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
Yes
Happy
Sad
No
Worried
Angry
Tired
Scared
Calm
Frustrated
Overwhelmed
Okay
Bored
Lonely
Proud
Confused
I Need a Minute
It's Not on My Board
Try Again
That's Wrong
Feelings are often the hardest thing to put into words, and harder still when someone is shut down, upset or does not speak. Pointing to Overwhelmed or Lonely can say in a second what a long talk might not.
The feelings on this board are adult ones. Next to happy and sad sit worried, frustrated, overwhelmed, bored, lonely, proud and confused, the words grown-ups actually reach for.
Yes and No sit in the top corners with a thick green and red border, so a carer can check what they think they see. The bottom row helps when the message gets mixed up: I Need a Minute, It's Not on My Board, Try Again, That's Wrong.
Nothing left to prepare. Three finished sets, $4 each, and every page prints exactly as it is.
When to Use This Board
Use it with an autistic adult who is nonspeaking or loses speech when stressed, a person with aphasia or dementia, or anyone who finds feelings hard to name out loud, at home, at work or in a day program.
How to Customize This Board
- Add the feelings this person names most, such as Excited, Hurt or Embarrassed.
- Swap a feeling cell for a coping choice, such as Quiet Space or Headphones.
- Keep a small copy in a bag or wallet for days out.
- Pick a bigger cell size in the maker for fewer, larger feelings.
Take this further with Beacon
Not sure which words a board needs? Beacon suggests a starting set for home, work or out in the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why use a feelings board with adults?
- Stress, shutdowns, aphasia and some disabilities can make feelings hard to say. Pointing to a word lets an adult tell you how they feel without having to speak, and gives you something concrete to respond to.
- Which feelings are on the board?
- Happy, Sad, Worried, Angry, Tired, Scared, Calm, Frustrated, Overwhelmed, Okay, Bored, Lonely, Proud and Confused, plus Yes and No and four phrases to fix a mixed-up message.
- How do I use it without making it feel childish?
- Keep it matter of fact and offer it, never force it. Ask once, wait and accept the answer. The photos and words are written for adults.
- Can I change the feelings?
- Yes. Open it in the maker to change any word, swap in your own photo, or add cells for the feelings this person uses most.
- Can I change the photos to look like me?
- Yes. Use the Figure toggle to show a male or a female, and use the Skin tone toggle to show the hands in a light or dark skin tone. The preview, the printable and the PDF all match. In the maker you can also swap any photo for one of your own.
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