
Feelings First: Social Emotional Learning Tools for Every Learner
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students build the skills to understand their
feelings, connect with others, and navigate challenges with confidence. For students
with autism and other developmental disabilities, SEL is especially powerful—it creates
opportunities to practice communication, develop friendships, and build self-advocacy
skills in ways that celebrate their strengths. By fostering empathy, resilience, and
a sense of belonging, SEL supports not only academic growth, but also lifelong well-being.
Below, you’ll find a collection of resources designed to make SEL more accessible,
meaningful, and fun for all learners.
How Do You Feel? Board
Learning to recognize and name emotions is an important part of social-emotional growth. When students can identify how they’re feeling, they’re better able to manage emotions, build stronger relationships, and succeed in and out of the classroom.
This simple check-in tool is a great way to start conversations:
👉 “How am I feeling today?”
👉 “What can I do if I’m not feeling my best?”

