Spoon Thieves @ School: Card Deck by Neurodivergent Ally

WHAT ARE SPOON THIEVES @ SCHOOL?

Spoon Thieves @ School is a deck of 50 cards depicting the daily activities, situations, and demands that use up the mental, physical and emotional resources of autistics or ADHD-ers at school. Based on Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino), the Spoon Thieves @ School cards assist neurodivergent kids and teens to communicate about their challenges and support needs, so that school can become a better fit for them.

The Spoon Thieves @ School cards are intended to enable more thorough exploration of neurodivergent kids’ and teens’ experiences of school, than the original Spoon Thieves deck (which is relevant to school, home, and community activities and experiences). The deck contains 15 cards that are found in the original Spoon Thieves Deck, with another 35 cards that allow us to look more deeply at experiences, thoughts, and concerns about school.

The text is clear and direct, and each card is illustrated to assist with communication and shared understanding. The Spoon Thieves @ School cards were designed by a neurodivergent psychologist, to enable exploration of autistic and ADHD energy and how this may be depleted more quickly at school, than is the case for neurotypical students.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Spoon Thieves @ School can be used with children and teens (the youngest I have used them with is eight years, however it really depends on the capacity of the person to understand the language and concepts).

The Spoon Thieves cards help us understand why neurodivergent students can become easily overwhelmed, fatigued, or burnt out by school. They can help parents and families, teachers, therapists, to understand which factors at school are contributing to emotional dysregulation, meltdowns and shut downs, and school can’t (previously called school refusal).

HOW DO I USE IT?

In a therapy setting, the Spoon Thieves @ School 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.

For schools, the Spoon Thieves @ School 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 @ School can help to reduce emotional dysregulation, sensory overwhelm, meltdowns, and demand avoidance, leading to calmer classrooms. They can be used to prevent school can’t, helping neurodivergent students to feel safe and supported to attend school. The Spoon Thieves @ School cards 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.

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 teachers to understand neurotypes and needs, and can be used to inform changes which reduce overwhelm, dysregulation, and school can’t.