Instructions
- Use this worksheet to build a personal support map—a list of people, places, and tools that can help you learn, feel safe, solve problems, and reach your goals.
- You do not need to share private information. Use first names, job titles, or general descriptions instead of full names.
- Start with the example, then complete the blank sections. You may write, draw, or use symbols.
- Choose supports that are trusted, respectful, and helpful. Ask a trusted adult for help if you are unsure about a support.
- Complete the final action plan and review your map with a trusted adult if you choose.
My Support Network
Write a goal, need, or situation in the center. Examples include staying calm, understanding homework, making friends, or feeling safe.
My goal or need: ____
My support map:
| Support area | Example support | How this support could help me | My support or idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therapy | A counselor helps me practice coping strategies. | I can learn ways to manage strong feelings. | |
| Family | |||
| Education | |||
| Specialists | |||
| Other trusted supports |
1. Therapy Supports
Therapy supports may include a counselor, therapist, social worker, or support group. These people can help with feelings, coping skills, communication, behavior, or problem-solving.
Complete the sentences:
- A therapy support I could talk with is ____.
- I might ask this person for help when ____.
- One skill I would like to practice is ____.
- A question I could ask is __.
Choose the helpful actions. Circle all that apply.
- Talking about a problem
- Practicing calming strategies
- Learning how to express my needs
- Making a plan for a difficult situation
- Keeping every problem secret from trusted adults
2. Family Supports
Family support can include parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents, relatives, or another trusted adult who cares about you.
Write or draw one idea in each box.
- A family member or trusted adult I can contact: _____
- Something this person can help me with: __
- A way I prefer to receive help: ___
- A good time or place to talk: __
Complete the support sentence:
“When I need help with ____, I can tell ____, ‘Could you please help me by __?’”
3. Education Supports
Education supports may include a teacher, tutor, school counselor, learning-support teacher, librarian, coach, or a helpful classmate.
| School situation | Example support or strategy | Who or what could help? |
|---|---|---|
| I do not understand an assignment. | Ask for an example or explanation. | Teacher or tutor |
| I feel overwhelmed by a large task. | ||
| I need a quiet place to focus. | ||
| I need help organizing materials. | ||
| I need to practice a skill. | ||
| I have a question but feel nervous asking. |
My school-support plan:
- One learning strength I have: __
- One school skill I want to improve: ____
- The first person I can ask for help: ____
- Words I can use: “I am having trouble with ____. Could you help me ____?”
4. Specialist Supports
Specialists have specific training to help with particular needs. Examples include a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, speech-language therapist, physical therapist, psychologist, or other professional.
Match each specialist with a possible area of support. Write the letter on the line.
- Speech-language therapist _____
- Occupational therapist _____
- Physical therapist _____
- Doctor or nurse _____
- Psychologist _____
- A. Movement, strength, balance, or physical recovery
- B. Health questions, medicine, sleep, or general physical well-being
- C. Speech, language, communication, or swallowing
- D. Feelings, thoughts, behavior, or emotional well-being
- E. Daily activities, sensory needs, handwriting, or coordination
My specialist questions:
- A specialist I already know or may want to ask about is __.
- The area I would like support with is __.
- One question I could bring to an appointment is _____ ____.
5. Sort the Supports
Write each support in the most suitable category. Some supports may fit more than one category.
Supports: teacher, family member, counselor, school nurse, tutor, doctor, speech-language therapist, trusted coach
| Therapy | Family | Education | Specialists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example: counselor | Example: family member | Example: teacher | Example: doctor |
6. Build a Help-Seeking Plan
Choose one situation and complete the plan.
Situation I might face:
- I am confused about: _____
- I am feeling: ____
- I notice this because: ___
My plan:
- First, I will try ____.
- If I still need help, I will contact ____.
- I can say or write: “____.”
- Another support I can try is _____ .
- After receiving help, I will check whether ____ .
7. Support Check
Put a check mark beside supports that are healthy and useful.
- [ ] The person listens respectfully.
- [ ] The person helps me understand my choices.
- [ ] I can ask questions.
- [ ] The support matches my goal or need.
- [ ] I feel safe asking for help.
- [ ] The person keeps appropriate boundaries and privacy.
- [ ] I am pressured to keep unsafe secrets.
- [ ] I am treated unfairly or made to feel embarrassed.
If a support feels unsafe, confusing, or disrespectful, tell a trusted adult and ask for another support.
8. Reflection
- The most useful support on my map is __ because ____.
- One support I would like to learn more about is _____ because ____.
- One step I can take this week is ____.
Optional Challenge
Create a second support map for a different situation, such as preparing for a test, handling a disagreement, joining a new activity, or managing a busy day. Explain how the supports might change.
- New situation: __
- Therapy support: _____
- Family support: __
- Education support: ___
- Specialist support: __
- Why these supports fit the situation: __
Answer Key
Mind Map and personal responses: Answers will vary. Strong answers identify a specific, trusted support and clearly explain how that support could help.
Therapy supports:
Helpful actions include:
- Talking about a problem
- Practicing calming strategies
- Learning how to express my needs
- Making a plan for a difficult situation
Keeping every problem secret from trusted adults is not a helpful or safe support strategy.
Specialist matching:
- Speech-language therapist — C
- Occupational therapist — E
- Physical therapist — A
- Doctor or nurse — B
- Psychologist — D
Sort the supports:
Possible answers include:
- Therapy: counselor
- Family: family member
- Education: teacher, tutor, trusted coach
- Specialists: doctor, school nurse, speech-language therapist
Some answers may reasonably fit more than one category. For example, a school nurse is an education-based support who may also provide health-related specialist support.
Support check:
Helpful statements are the first six choices:
- The person listens respectfully.
- The person helps me understand my choices.
- I can ask questions.
- The support matches my goal or need.
- I feel safe asking for help.
- The person keeps appropriate boundaries and privacy.
The final two statements describe warning signs that should be discussed with a trusted adult.