The Incredible 5 Point Scale

This is a visual support used to help identify and regulate emotions and emotional responding. The approach was created by Kari Dunn Buron, who is a specialist teacher from Minnesota.

Dunn Buron describes it as:

“An antecedent based cognitive behavioural intervention that teaches social information and emotional regulation …in a systematic way using visuals”

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She uses the example of Daniel Tammet in his book Born on a Blue Day (2006)

‘Numbers are my first language; one I often think and feel in’

Kari Dunn Buron explains her approach here, an example of a five-point scale for voice is below and Dunn Buron explains the meaning of this and how she developed the 5 point scale for shouting.

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Using the The Incredible 5 Point Scale

Teachers and parents can work through different aspects of identifying stressful situations and rating them on the 5 point scale. This can initiate dialogue with the child / young person and help foster a mutual understanding of what causes stress and what does not and what can be done to support stress.

The use of numbers and a scale can take the emotion out of potentially difficult conversations.

Click here for The Incredible 5 Point Scale for The Individual- Teaching Voice Control.

Click here for The Incredible Five Point Scale Teaching about Energy

Click here for The Incredible Five Point Scale Teaching How to Ask for Help

Using the 5 Point Scale to Teach Emotional Regulation

The visual nature of the 5 Point Scale and the fact that words associated with emotions are not used makes it a useful strategy for teaching explicitly about emotional regulation in school. 

Kari Dunn Buron explains how the scale can be used to teach social and emotional regulation.

Kari Dunn Buron argues that the inability to understand others, their facial expressions and social behaviours can be at the root of some, if not all behaviours. ‘All behaviour goes back to a neurological core a deficit in skills a learning issue.’ She makes the point that these social and emotion regulation issues should be addressed as part of the IEP, using a teaching tool, such as the 5-Point Scale, rather than being addressed in a behaviour plan, which is delivered separately from the IEP. 

Using the 5 Point Scale as a Self-Rating Tool for Emotion Management

The scale can also be used as a self rater for older students who can reflect on their behaviour with support. The student can conduct an analysis of their mood and emotions and rate themselves from 1-5. 

This is explained here. The resources to support are in the book A 5 Is Against The Law by Kari Dunn Buron.

Below is an example of a self-rating scale and how it can be used at various times throughout the school day.

Level	Action
5	I’m feeling overwhelmed and have to call a parent
4	I need to ask for help within the school
3	I need to go to a quiet place and regulate
2	I may need to regulate in the next 30 minutes
1	I’m doing ok

The 5 Point Scale for Emotion Management for the Teacher

The scale can also be used as a visual support to demonstrate the escalation of an emotion for the classroom staff. These should be individualised to the student.

An example below of a 5 point scale that is incorporated into a visual curve for emotional outbursts is below. This can be used with staff to teach intervention strategies.

This curve visual is advising that a redirection is needed between 2-3 and also advises strategies for recovery post incident.

• Interoception