Teen Autism - My Triggers, My Needs: Guide and Planning Resource - Special Ed

My Triggers, My Needs: An Anxiety Self-Discovery & Safety Guide for Autistic Teens

By Amanda McGuinness | Little Puddins – Autism Resources

This is a digital product.

This is a 35 Page Resource

Help Autistic teens identify, express, and communicate their sensory, emotional, and environmental needs with this neuro-affirming, trauma-informed resource designed by Autism & Visual Supports Specialist Amanda McGuinness.

My Triggers, My Needs is a self-discovery and safety planning guide developed to support Autistic teens in understanding their own nervous system and advocating for what helps them feel safe and regulated. This printable, fillable resource is ideal for use in homes, schools, therapy sessions, or transition planning.

✅ What’s Included:

• Neuro-affirming Introduction for Teens and Adults
  
• Understanding Triggers – What they are and why they happen
  
• Trigger Identification Checklists with space for personalisation:
  
  • Sensory Triggers
    
  • Social & Communication Triggers
    
  • Routine & Change Triggers
    
  • Internal Triggers
    
  • School-Specific Triggers
    

• Warning Signs of Dysregulation – Body, mind, and outward signals
  
• My Support Strategies & Self-Regulation Menu – What helps and what makes it worse
  
• Supportive People & Personalised Safety Plan – Designed for collaboration, not compliance
  
• Reflection & Advocacy Page – “What I want my team to remember about me”
  

How to Use This Resource:

• Invite the Autistic teen to complete the guide at their own pace
  
• Use as a collaborative tool between teens, parents, teachers, SNAs, or therapists
  
• Refer to the guide during support planning, IEP meetings, or school transitions
  
• Revisit and revise regularly to reflect changing needs and self-awareness
  

Who This Resource Is For:

• Autistic teenagers (with or without diagnosis)
  
• Parents and caregivers
  
• SNAs, teachers, and school inclusion teams
  
• Therapists and allied professionals
  
• Transition planning and post-primary support
  

Why Educators & Families Love It:

• Rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm
  
• Created with lived Autistic insight
  
• Avoids behavioural language, reward systems, or punitive framing
  
• Promotes autonomy, dignity, and connection
  
• Visually clear and easy to implement in both home and educational settings
  

✋ Please Note:
This resource is not a behavioural management tool. It is a relationship-based guide designed to help Autistic young people feel seen, heard, and supported.