$9.79
Introductory launch price for a limited time
Help other people understand what distress may be communicating and how to offer calm, respectful and person-centred support.
This editable What Helps Me When I'm Distressed set is designed for families, carers and support teams working alongside children, young people and adults with learning disabilities. It helps record the person's comfortable baseline, early signs, likely unmet needs, communication, helpful adjustments, what can make distress worse and what supports recovery.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
• One-Page What Helps Me When I'm Distressed Summary - key information at a glance
• Detailed What Helps Me When I'm Distressed Profile - 15 editable A4 pages
SECTIONS INCLUDE
• The person's comfortable and settled baseline
• Everyday support, quality of life, routine, choice and control
• Yes, no, stop, help, breaks and communication changes
• Pain, health, hunger, thirst, toileting, sleep, fear and uncertainty
• Sensory and environmental needs
• Individual early signs of distress
• What helps when distress is building
• Helpful words, tone, processing time and number of people
• Touch, personal space and personal-care support
• Current professional safety and crisis-plan references
• Recovery, reconnection, learning and review
WHY FAMILIES AND SUPPORT TEAMS MAY FIND IT USEFUL
• Treats distress and behaviour as communication, not a fault in the person
• Warm, plain-language prompts with no codes, scoring or complicated keys
• Focuses on prevention, listening, dignity and practical adjustments
• Makes helpful and unhelpful responses clearer across different settings
• Can be personalised, saved, updated and printed as needs change
• Created by a Learning Disability Nurse with 15 years' experience
PLEASE NOTE
This is a blank, independent communication and support template. It is not a diagnosis, functional behaviour assessment, risk assessment, clinical record, official form, professional behaviour-support plan or crisis plan. It does not authorise restraint or replace emergency help, safeguarding procedures, current care plans, health advice or professionally agreed safety guidance.
COMPATIBILITY
The files are supplied in .docx format and are intended for Microsoft Word versions that support .docx files. Very old software or other word-processing programs may display small formatting differences, so please check the pages after opening.
DIGITAL PRODUCT
This is an instant digital download. No physical item will be posted. Because the files are editable, page layout may move if large amounts of text are added or fonts are changed.
© 2026 Learning Disabilities Support Studios.
Digital downloads
Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I receive?
You will receive the editable A4 Microsoft Word documents listed in the individual product description. They are supplied as an instant digital download. Nothing will be posted to you.
Do I need the newest version of Microsoft Word?
No. The files are supplied in .docx format and should open in versions of Microsoft Word that support this file type. Very old versions may occasionally display small formatting differences.
Can I edit and print the templates?
Yes. You can type directly into the documents, save your completed copies and print them when needed. Please check the page layout before printing, particularly after adding large amounts of text.
Can I use the files in Google Docs, Pages or another program?
The templates are created and checked in Microsoft Word. Other programs may open .docx files, but formatting can change, so compatibility and page layout cannot be guaranteed outside Microsoft Word.
Who are these resources for?
The resources are created primarily for parents and family carers supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities. Completed documents may also be shared with relevant health, education and social care professionals.
Are these official NHS or local authority forms?
No. These are independently created, person-centred templates from Learning Disabilities Support Studios. They are not official NHS, local authority, education or social care documents.
Do the templates replace professional advice or existing care plans?
No. The templates help organise and share information, but they do not replace clinical records, professional assessments, prescribed guidance, care plans, risk assessments or emergency advice.
What should I do if I have difficulty opening a file?
Please message me through Etsy and explain what is happening. I will be happy to help you check the download and resolve problems with the supplied files.