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Understanding and managing emotions is a lifelong skill—but for neurodivergent children, that journey can be especially challenging. Children with Autism and ADHD often experience intense feelings without the language, regulation tools, or support systems to manage them effectively.

That’s where printable emotion charts for autism and ADHD come in.

These simple, powerful visual tools help children recognize, name, and regulate their emotions—turning chaos into calm and giving both kids and caregivers a shared language to navigate the day.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, this guide will help you explore how to use printable emotion charts and which types are best for your child's needs.

Why Use Emotion Charts for Neurodivergent Kids?

Children with Autism and ADHD often struggle with emotional regulation, transitions, and self-awareness. Visual supports like printable feeling charts for neurodivergent children can bridge those gaps by:

• Giving kids visual cues to recognize emotions

• Offering nonverbal ways to express how they feel

• Building vocabulary and self-advocacy skills

• Reducing meltdowns and emotional outbursts

• Supporting routines and transitions in school and at home

For nonverbal kids or those with limited expressive language, emotion charts for nonverbal autistic children provide a way to be seen and heard—without needing words.

Types of Printable Emotion Charts and How to Use Them

Not all emotion charts are the same! Below are several popular types of printable emotion charts for autism and ADHD, with suggestions on how to use them effectively.

1. Feeling Faces Charts

These classic charts feature facial expressions to help children match what they see or feel. Many include simple labels like happy, sad, angry, or tired.
Try using a feeling faces chart for autism and ADHD during daily check-ins, transitions, or as part of a morning routine.

2. Emotion Thermometer Charts

A favorite among therapists, emotion thermometer charts for ADHD children visually represent the intensity of feelings. They range from calm to explosive and help students identify when they need support before reaching a meltdown.

3. How Do I Feel Today Charts

These "how do I feel today" chart printables encourage kids to point to or circle how they feel throughout the day. You can use magnets, Velcro pieces, or dry-erase markers for interactivity.

4. Emotion Wheels and Mood Trackers

For older or more advanced learners, try a mood tracker printable for ADHD students or an emotion wheel printable for special education. These tools expand emotional vocabulary and encourage reflection.

5. Emotion Cue Cards

Emotion cue cards printable for autistic kids are portable and can be carried in a lanyard or emotion toolkit. They're great for use in public settings, therapy, or during field trips.

Classroom Strategies: Bringing Visual Emotion Charts Into Your Day

Using visual emotion charts for kids with autism in the classroom helps foster emotional literacy and builds community. Here’s how teachers can integrate them:

• Use daily emotion charts for autistic children during morning meetings to check in with students

• Add emotion posters for autism classrooms to calm-down corners, behavior reflection areas, or group work stations

• Include printable emotional check-ins for ADHD students as part of transitions (before lunch, after recess, etc.)

• Use printable calm down charts for ADHD kids to support emotion regulation without shame or punishment

Don’t forget to laminate your printables or use dry-erase pockets so they can be reused and adapted throughout the year.

Home Use: Emotion Charts for Daily Routines

Parents can use printable emotional regulation tools for kids at home to create consistency and help children develop emotional awareness outside of school. Some ideas:

• Post a daily feelings tracker for neurodivergent kids on the fridge

• Use a feeling identification chart for special needs before bedtime to talk about the day

• Incorporate a behavior and emotion log for ADHD to track patterns and share with teachers or therapists

• Create a calm-down area using a calm down chart for ADHD and sensory tools

These supports are especially helpful during transitions, such as back-to-school time, holidays, or family changes.

Tailoring Charts for All Abilities

Every child is different. That’s why many educators and parents love customizable emotion charts with editable templates. You can adjust:

• Colors and icons (some kids prefer real photos, while others enjoy emojis or illustrations)

• Language (use simplified terms or multiple languages for bilingual homes)

• Chart layout (vertical, horizontal, or even story-style)

For younger children or those with visual processing differences, try feelings chart printables with real photos for ADHD or autism emotion chart printables with faces that show diverse facial expressions and skin tones.

Printable Emotion Charts: A Tool, Not a Fix

Remember: a chart won’t solve everything. But printable emotion supports for inclusive classrooms work best when they’re part of a bigger strategy that includes:

• Modeling emotional vocabulary and regulation

• Encouraging breaks and movement

• Using coping skills like deep breathing, fidget tools, or sensory bins

• Having consistent routines and expectations

• Communicating with parents, therapists, and support staff

When used intentionally, emotion charts for autistic and ADHD children can transform not just behavior—but connection and trust.

Free and Paid Resources

Here are some popular sources for emotion chart printables:

• Pop Sugar Cafe – Inclusive printable tools for emotional regulation, sensory routines, and visual schedules

• Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) – A variety of special education emotion charts from real educators

• Pinterest & Blogs – Great for free downloads, ideas, and DIY versions

• Therapist-created tools – Look for emotion regulation charts from OTs and child psychologists

You Might Also Like:

• 🧠 Executive Function Visual Toolkit for Kids

• 🖍️ Classroom Behavior Reflection Sheets

• 📅 Printable Visual Schedule for Neurodivergent Learners

• 📘 Emotion Cards and Coping Skills Flashcards

• ✨ Calm Down Corner Printables for Home and School

Final Thoughts: Emotion Charts Empower Kids—One Feeling at a Time

When you give a child a way to express their emotions, you’re giving them more than a communication tool—you’re giving them the gift of understanding. For children with Autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent needs, this support can be life-changing.

Printable emotion charts for autism and ADHD help reduce stress, encourage communication, and create safer, more supportive environments at school and home. Whether you’re looking for emotion regulation worksheets for autism, a visual emotion support chart for classroom use, or a simple printable feelings chart with visuals, you’ll find that these tools can help turn meltdowns into moments of growth—and big feelings into big progress.