Neurodivergent Emotion Cards

Neurodivergent people that appear anywhere on the Autism spectrum often have difficulties within therapy and even in seeking therapy. People who are neurodivergent especially have trouble with discussing things like emotions, identity, and culture. My resource was created to tackle those specific problems. In the cards you will see below are various questions created by me to assist counselors in the task of discussing feelings with neurodivergent clients. My purpose for making these cards is that not only am I myself neurodivergent, but I work in a field with children with ASD who I see firsthand struggling with the aforementioned issues. My favorite part of my job is seeing the children I work with eventually being able to discuss things like emotions, but usually the path towards that goal is difficult and time consuming. The current methods used at my clinic are things like feelings boards and emotions/culture books which work, but don't truly capture what I believe these children need to succeed at discussing these topics. 

The two main points I based this resource off of are the study that showed neurodivergent people experience, "Feelings of frustration and confusion at language used in counseling..." and the desire to "Feel... understood, heard and able to self-advocate" (Jones 1). My cards follow both of these requests, being in both plain and easy to understand language with the only "metaphoric" parts being physical feelings, and they allow the user to be able to self advocate which will eventually allow them to be heard.

Downloadable and Printable PDF: HERE

References

Jones, F., Hamilton, J., & Kargas, N. (2025). Accessibility and affirmation in counselling: An exploration into neurodivergent clients’ experiences. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12742