Autism Center Grab and Go Resource Gallery of Interventions
Power Cards
Discover the power of Power Cards, which teach and reinforce academic, behavioral, organizational, and social skills. Created by Elise Gagnon, Power Cards is a visual support that includes an individual's special interest. This strategy consists of a brief description of the situation and adds a visual cue. The visual cue, or reminder, is written in the first person from the perspective of the individual's special interest and then provides solutions to address challenges. The cards can be created in different sizes (e.g., baseball card, business card, bookmark) and should contain a small picture and three to five steps to address the difficult situation.
For further information, visit the Social Narratives Autism Internet Module at www.autisminternetmodules.org
Examples
Power Card Resources
- Power Card - Blank Template
- Power Card - Coping with Change
- Power Card - Feeling Anxious
- Power Card - Remote Learning
- Power Card - Sharing
- Power Card - Shopping with My Family
- Power Card Narrative - Family / Grandpa and Things to Remember to Do at Home
- Power Card Narrative - Firefighter and Riding the Bus to School
Book Suggestions
Power Cards: Using Special Interests to Motivate Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome and Autism
Gagnon, E.
This step-by-step book shows parents and educators how to help change an unwanted or inappropriate behavior by capitalizing on the special interests that characterize children and youth with AS. A brief, motivational text related to a special interest or a highly admired person is combined with an illustration and made into a bookmark- or business card-sized POWER CARD that the youth can refer to whenever necessary. For younger child the special interest or hero is worked into a brief story.