Spoon Thieves Card Deck by Neurodivergent Ally

WHAT ARE SPOON THIEVES?

Spoon Thieves is a deck of cards depicting the daily activities, situations, and demands that use up the mental, physical and emotional resources of autistics or ADHD-ers. Based on Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino), the Spoon Thieves cards assist neurodivergent people to communicate about their energy, and what depletes it.

The text is clear and direct, and each card is illustrated to assist with communication and shared understanding. The Spoon Thieves cards were designed by a neurodivergent psychologist, to enable exploration of autistic and ADHD energy and how this may be depleted more quickly than in our neurotypical peers.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Spoon Thieves can be used with all ages, using your own judgment about suitability for your particular student, client or family member.

The Spoon Thieves cards help us understand why neurodivergent people can become easily overwhelmed, fatigued, or burnt out, resulting in emotional dysregulation, sensory overload, meltdowns or shut downs. This resource can be used by parents and families, therapists, assessors, teachers, or anyone who wants to support the neurodivergent people in their lives. Originally designed as a tool for therapists, they are also a great resource for building understanding within classrooms, workplaces and the wider community.

HOW DO I USE IT?

In a therapy setting, the Spoon Thieves cards can be used to explore which particular activities, settings, and situations use up the most spoons for autistic and/or ADHD individuals. Paired with a set of spoons (disposable ones are great as they can be written on and given to the person to keep), the cards can be laid out and categorised according to whether they use up a little or a lot of spoons.

The cards are designed to be used flexibly to suit the setting and needs of the individual. They can improve communication, and help build self-understanding and self-awareness. They are ideal for helping parents and family members to understand the lived experience of their loved one, and can be used to inform changes to reduce overwhelm, dysregulation, and meltdowns. For families, the Spoon Thieves cards can be used to increase understanding of what is challenging, difficult or impossible for their child or young person, and where support is needed most.

For schools, the Spoon Thieves cards can be used to educate at the classroom or whole-of-school level, while also providing valuable insights into individual students, their challenges, and support needs. When used effectively (in conjunction with appropriate accommodations and supports) Spoon Thieves can help to reduce emotional dysregulation, sensory overwhelm, meltdowns, and demand avoidance, leading to calmer classrooms. They also provide amazing conversation and reflection points for staff development days, enhancing shared understanding and consistency of autism and ADHD supports provided throughout the school environment, and helping parents to feel that your school understands their child.