Educational Psychology ServiceThe Incredible 5 Point Scale (Buron and Curtis, 2012)

This guidance has been adapted from the Nottinghamshire guidance created by Dr Nicki Hammill.

This guidance explains how to introduce the Incredible 5 Point Scale to children and young people. The aim of this approach is to introduce children to specific social and emotional information about social rules and expectations in a concrete, systematic and non-judgemental way.

The Incredible 5 Point Scale will also give children a method of communicating their emotional state to adults in a variety of ways.

Who is this intervention appropriate for?

The Incredible 5 Point Scale is suitable for school-aged children. However, it is important to consider their developmental needs and can be adapted to suit. For example, if children may find a 5 point scale too difficult to manage, then a 3 point scale can be used instead.

Each scale is individual to the needs and motivations to the child and can be developed for the child or collaboratively with the child.

Equipment and Resources

A private area for discussions (if appropriate) 30 minutes - 1 hour of your time A4 blank version of the 5 Point Scale Coloured pens

The Incredible 5 Point Scale: Example 1

This is an example of an adult constructed scale that has been shared with the child.

1. Determine the problem: The child does not understand that it is not appropriate to touch certain parts of the body in front of others

2. Identify the concept to be understood: When and where I can touch the different parts of my body

3. Break the identified concept down into 5 parts: See below4. Support the child to understand what the scale is about: Explain the scale and

enable the child to understand how to use it.

Example 2

This example has been developed collaboratively with the child and is used as a way of communicating with the teacher via pictures or themes that they can identify with (e.g., areas of interest).

Example 3

This example was created by an adult for a younger child with developmental delay so pictures and symbols were used to help the child understand about regulating the volume of their voice.

When a 3 point scale is used, this can be adapted into a 5 point scale as the child becomes aware of how to use the 3 points competently.

Example 4

When working with children to develop a scale, adults can include other sections, such as “looks/sounds/feels like…”, “safe people can help by…”, and “I can try to…”

Example 5

This tool can also be used to identify possible triggers to a child’s behaviours.

Example 6

This can also be used in connection with the Breakwell Assault Cycle intervention.