First Waves: Materials + Setup + Fidelity
One-page reference for printing, setup, and “no drift” delivery.
Purpose
First Waves is a short, repeatable routine that teaches students to:
- Identify Calm vs Not Calm
- Select a support immediately when Not Calm (functional communication)
- Return to learning
Minimum Daily Setup (Foundational)
Post/prepare these where the student can point, touch, or access AAC.
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| 2-Zone Visual | Calm / Not Calm (soft, neutral colors) |
| Not Calm Menu | BREAK / HELP / SQUEEZE (3 items) |
| SQUEEZE | Consistent squeeze item across all staff/settings |
| Feeling Cards | Add as units progress; TIRED always visible |
| Calm Spot | Defined space for BREAK |
Recommended:
Timer (for BREAK duration; optional)
Data sheet (required)
Daily Routine (5 Minutes)
Rule: Calm/Not Calm first. Always.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. CHECK | “Check your body. Calm or Not Calm?” |
| 2. WAIT | 10 seconds. Count silently. |
| 3. IF NOT CALM | “What helps?” → deliver within 3 seconds |
| 4. RETURN | Go back to routine/task |
| 5. TEACH | Feeling name + body cue (as appropriate) |
| 6. BREATHE | One breath (Foundational: Belly; Supported: choice) |
| 7. CELEBRATE | “You listened to your body!” |
Fidelity Rules (Non-Negotiable)
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Wait 10 seconds | Count slowly before prompting |
| Deliver within 3 seconds | Student selects → adult delivers immediately |
| One breath only | Do not extend into breathing lesson |
| Keep choices limited | 3 tools at Foundational; 4 max at Supported |
| Return is part of routine | Prevent BREAK/WALK from becoming escape |
| No zone colors until Transitional | Do not teach Blue/Green/Yellow/Red at Foundational or Supported |
| Same script, every staff | Consistency is regulatory |
Supported Level Add-Ons (Only If Ready)
Use Supported only when student is stable with Foundational for 5+ days.
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Breath Choice Visual | Belly / Bubble (2 options; student picks one) |
| WALK Visual + Destination | Optional 4th tool (defined spot and back) |
| Body Map | “Where do you feel it?” (optional) |
| Short Timer | 10–20 seconds for WALK |
Transitional Level Add-Ons (Only If Ready)
Use Transitional only when student meets Supported exit criteria for 10+ days.
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| 4-Zone Visual | Blue / Green / Yellow / Red |
| Simple Strategy Menu | 2 strategies per zone max |
| Keep 2-Zone + Menu | Available as backup |
Rule: Zone colors are ONLY introduced at Transitional tier.
What to Track (Minimum)
| Variable | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Calm/Not Calm ID | I (Independent) or P (Prompted) |
| Tool selected | BREAK / HELP / SQUEEZE / WALK |
| Tool completed | Y / N |
Recommended (Supported+):
Named feeling (I/P)
Breath choice (Belly/Bubble)
Recovery time (<1 min / 1-2 min / 2-5 min / 5+ min)
Exit Criteria Summary
| Transition | Duration | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational → Supported | 5 consecutive days | 80% Calm/Not Calm; menu with gestural prompt; tool complete |
| Supported → Transitional | 10 consecutive days | Independent Calm/Not Calm; initiates tool request; 3+ feelings |
| Transitional → Ocean Zones | 10 consecutive days | 80% 4-zone ID; strategy match; 15+ min group tolerance |
Rule: If criteria met for 3+ days then not met, restart the count.
Crisis vs. Not Calm
| Not Calm | Crisis |
|---|---|
| Dysregulated but safe | Unsafe behavior |
| Use Not Calm Menu | Use school safety plan |
| Continue First Waves | STOP First Waves |
| Record data | Do NOT record First Waves data |
If You See Drift (Fast Fixes)
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| BREAK/WALK becomes escape | Shorten duration + timer + require return |
| Staff prompt too fast | Enforce 10-second wait; use timer |
| Routines too long | Cut to CHECK + MENU + CELEBRATE only |
| Staff teaching zone colors | Stop. No colors until Transitional. |
| Different scripts | All staff use same words exactly |
| Student always picks same tool | That’s fine. It works for their body. |
TIRED (Always Available)
- TIRED card is always visible
- Tired can be Calm OR Not Calm
- If Tired + Not Calm → run the Not Calm Menu
- Tired is NOT a teaching unit
Prompt Hierarchy
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | I | No prompt needed |
| Verbal | V | Repeat instruction |
| Gestural | G | Point to visual |
| Partial Physical | PP | Guide hand toward |
| Full Physical | FP | Hand-over-hand |
Ask once → Wait 10 sec → Prompt
Print Notes
- Print at 100% scale.
- Laminate visuals and menus for durability.
- Post Calm/Not Calm and the Not Calm Menu where you can point quickly.