Noticing that impulsivity is when a feeling or want moves straight into action without a pause in between to consider if the action is a good idea.
Thinking about what a pause might look like and how it can create space to think about what may happen.
Reflecting on how the people around someone can help support the person to slow down and pause rather than just acting without thinking.
Exploring what helps a person notice the moment before they act, and what makes it easier or harder to pause first.
Veruca Salt sings about all the things she wants, listing them loudly and without pausing to think about whether they are possible. Her requests keep growing and shifting quickly, moving from one thing to the next as soon as a new idea comes to her. The adults around her are unable to settle or redirect her in the moment.
• What did you notice about the way Veruca moved from one want to the next?
• Have you ever done or said something very quickly and then wished you had waited a moment first?
• What does that feeling feel like just before you act on it?
• Is there anything that helps you pause when a feeling or want feels very urgent?
• Does it feel different to act on something straight away compared to waiting, even for a short time?
• What could someone say or do that might help you find a pause in a moment like that?
• How could you let someone know that you are finding it hard to wait, without it becoming overwhelming?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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