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Autism ADHD Neurodiversity Resource for Emotional Regulation: Spoon Savers Cards Deck Visual Resource for Therapy, School and Families

WHAT IS SPOON SAVERS?
Spoon Theory uses the metaphor of spoons to represent a neurodivergent personu2019s mental, physical and emotional energy. Neurodivergent people often u2018run out of spoonsu2019 early, resulting in fatigue, overwhelm, meltdowns, and shut down. The Spoon Savers cards help neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD) people to learn, explore and share ways to u201cget those spoons back in the drawer`. The companion deck to Spoon Thieves (Decks 1 and 2), Spoon Savers contains 60 cards, each showing ND-affirming activities and strategies for conserving and replenishing our spoons. Each card uses positive, affirming language, to help autistic and ADHD individuals to feel seen, understood, and to know that they are not alone.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Spoon Savers can be used with all ages (in my work as a clinical psychologist, the youngest I have used them with is eight years, however it really depends on the capacity of the person to understand the concept of spoons and energy. Each card features a picture or graphic to facilitate understanding). This resource can be used by parents and families, therapists, medical professionals, teachers, and anyone who wants to support the neurodivergent people in their lives. They are a great tool for building understanding within classrooms, workplaces and the wider community.

HOW DO I USE IT?
In a therapy setting, the Spoon Savers cards can be used to explore what particular activities, supports, and accommodations help to save or replenish spoons for autistic and/or ADHD individuals. Paired with a set of spoons (disposable ones are great as they can be written on), the cards can be laid out and categorised according to whether they are helpful, unhelpful, something to try, something others can help with, etc. The cards are designed to be used flexibly to suit the setting and needs of the individual. They can improve communication, and help build self-understanding and self-awareness. They are ideal for helping parents and family members to understand the lived experience of their loved one, and lead to many u2018aha!u2019 moments and changes in family dynamics, leading to less overwhelm, dysregulation, and meltdowns. For families, the Spoon Savers cards can be used to increase understanding of what types of support are needed most, and which supports can assist in different situations or environments.
For schools, the Spoon Savers cards can be used to educate at the classroom or whole of school level, while also providing valuable insights into individual students, their challenges, and support needs. When used effectively (in conjunction with a solid understanding of a personu2019s characteristics and challenges) Spoon Savers cards can help to reduce emotional dysregulation, sensory overwhelm, meltdowns, and demand avoidance, leading to calmer classrooms. They also provide amazing conversation and reflection points for staff development days, enhancing shared understanding and consistency of autism and ADHD supports provided throughout the school environment and helping parents to feel that your school understands their child.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT NEURODIVERSITY AFFIRMING APPROACHES?
Whereas Spoon Savers shows a range of activities, supports and accommodations that help neurodivergent people to conserve and replenish their spoons, the companion decks, Spoon Thieves, help us to understand what depletes spoons. My other resource, ND me, teaches about autism and ADHD using affirming language. Find them here: /auNeurodivergentAlly?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1477402158