Social behaviors, emotions, and other abstract ideas can be addressed using a 5-Point Scale.

Some
issues that have been addressed include:

Voice volume Personal space

Staying in control of your emotions When the cafeteria is sold out of Pop-Tarts
Anxious feelings How you are feeling right now
Appropriate ways to greet others Scary or threatening words
Feeling irritated Stress levels
How hard the current work tasks feels

Once youve determined what issue you will address with the scale, break down the issue into five parts,
with 1 being the best the student can do and 5 being the most difficult or intense of the parts. Here
are some examples:

Voice volume Stress levels How hard the work is Personal space
5 Screaming! 5 This can make me lose 5 This work is too hard 5 People get mad when I am
Emergency only. control. 4 I need a lot of help to do too close. I need to try to stay
4 Outside voice 4 This can really upset me. this work in my bubble.
3 Inside/classroom 3 This can make me feel 3 I need a little help to do 4 Uh oh! I am so close I might
voice nervous. this work bump into someone.
2 Whisper/soft 2 This sometimes bothers 2 I can try to do this work 3 Much too close. My body
voice me. 1 I can do this work easily might touch someone else.
1 No talking! Shhh. 1 This never bothers me. 2 My arms and legs are too
close to another person.
1 Inside my bubble. My arms
can move without touching
anyone.

From Buron, K. & Curtis, M. (2003). The A scale for how emotions around taking a test. A scale for how losing control.
Incredible 5-Point Scale. By Heather Gilmore, MSW, LLMSW, BCBA By Suzi Woodgate

Developed by Mickey VanDerwerker