You Asked. We Listened. SEL for Special Education.

How Do You Support Students Who Can’t Tell You How They Feel?

What if a student can’t say “I’m overwhelmed”? What if they don’t have the words for “I need a break”?

For many of our learners, especially those who are nonspeaking or emerging communicators, emotions show up first in behavior.

Understanding that is the first step toward teaching meaningful SEL.

Behavior Is Communication

When we shift from seeing behavior as defiance to understanding it as a form of communication, everything changes.

Instead of reacting with consequences, we respond with support.

SEL in special education isn’t just about naming feelings, it’s about building bridges to self-regulation, one step at a time.

Why Traditional SEL Falls Short

Most SEL programs assume verbal reflection. They rely on whole-group conversations, long read-alouds, or journaling.

But what if your students can’t access those formats?

That’s where Made For Me Literacy’s new Social Skills units come in, lessons that don’t depend on words but still build emotional awareness and regulation skills with social skills stories paired with visual supports.

What Teaching SEL Looks Like in Real Classrooms

• A student points to a card showing “I need space.”
• A teacher models taking deep breaths after a loud noise.
• A classmate hands over a break token instead of grabbing a toy.

These are real wins, and they deserve real teaching.

A Toolkit That Meets Students Where They Are

Our new units include visual supports, scripts, and activities that help students show how they feel, even if they can’t tell you.

You’ll find clear visuals, easy-to-use guides, and routines designed to build confidence without requiring expressive language.

Behavior as Communication: SEL for Special Education

Each Made For Me Literacy unit inside our new Social Skills Bundle is designed for exactly these moments, the ones that feel tricky, messy, and real.

What’s Inside the Bundle:

Each unit includes 10 complete lessons (60 total), and every single one follows a predictable, accessible structure that supports diverse learners with visual supports, clear language, and meaningful repetition.

Best of all? No outside books required! We write every story just for our Made For Me Literacy Social Skills curriculum.

Upon completion in January 2026, this bundle will include the following units:

• Unit 1: Classroom Behaviors (available now)
• Unit 2: Personal Space & Boundaries (available now)
• Unit 3: Communication Skills (available October 2025)
• Unit 4: Understanding My Emotions (available November 2025)
• Unit 5: Managing Big Feelings (available December 2025)
• Unit 6: Self-Advocacy & Asking for Help (available January 2026)

Each lesson includes:

• A 2-day lesson plan
• Original Stop and Think story
• Digital comprehension check
• Printable “Stories for Social Situations” social narrative
• Digital task cards
• Whole group activity (anchor charts, classroom games, etc.)
• Printable worksheet (differentiated at Levels A, B, and C)
• Home connection sheet for caregiver reinforcement

SEL doesn’t have to be a sit-and-listen experience. Some of the most meaningful lessons happen during hands-on moments, when students are engaged, curious, and having fun.

Read more about our new social skills bundle here.