Emotions Chart — Feelings Visual Support for Autistic Children
A printable to help your child identify and express how they feel.
This visual emotions chart gives your child a way to point to how they feel — happy, sad, angry, scared, tired — so they can name the feeling instead of showing it through behaviour.
See also: Pain Scale and Help Card.
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How do you feel? Point to the face.
Questions parents ask
How do I use the emotions chart with my autistic child?
Print, laminate, and keep it in a calm spot — usually the study corner or bedside. During a calm moment, ask 'How are you feeling now?' and let your child point. Do NOT use it for the first time in the middle of a meltdown; introduce it during peace so it is trusted during storm.
What if my child always points to 'happy'?
That is common at the start — 'happy' feels safe. Model the chart yourself: point to 'tired' when you are tired, 'angry' when something frustrates you. Seeing you name a range of feelings makes it safer for your child to do the same.
Can I use this during a meltdown?
Only silently and briefly. During a meltdown, hold up the chart without asking anything; just make it visible. If your child looks or points, name it back quietly. Do not ask questions or push — the chart is a bridge, not a demand.