Lesson Plan

Trigger-Tactic Map

Guide the student to pinpoint personal triggers and link them to effective coping tactics, culminating in a personalized trigger-tactic map for ongoing self-management.

By identifying what sets off challenging behaviors and practicing targeted strategies, the student builds self-awareness and proactive skills to regulate emotions and actions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Print Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objective Overview

5 minutes

Step 2

Trigger Identification Activity

10 minutes

Step 3

Map Creation

10 minutes

Step 4

Scenario Simulation Stations

15 minutes

Step 5

Tactic Reflection Log

10 minutes

Step 6

Coping Strategy Mastery & Next Steps

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Trigger ID Workshop

Welcome the student and introduce today’s focus: understanding what triggers are and why identifying them matters. Emphasize that knowing triggers helps us choose the right coping tactic.

Workshop Objectives

Read through each objective and check for understanding. Explain that these steps mirror the larger goal of self-managing behavior.

What Is a Trigger?

Explain that a trigger isn’t ‘bad’—it’s simply a cue that can lead to a strong feeling or reaction. Use a simple example, like feeling upset when someone cuts in line.

Common Classroom Triggers

Review each classroom trigger. Ask the student if any sound familiar or if they’ve noticed others reacting this way.

Common Social Triggers

Highlight how social situations can also trigger strong reactions. Encourage the student to think of times they felt left out or misunderstood.

Brainstorm Your Triggers

Give the student 2–3 minutes to list their own top 3–5 triggers on this slide. Prompt with questions: “What makes you feel most frustrated or upset?”

Next: Trigger-Tactic Map

Explain that next they’ll link each trigger to a coping strategy using the Trigger-Tactic Map. Show the map template briefly.

Coming Up: Practice Stations

Preview the interactive scenario practice. Explain that they’ll rotate through stations and role-play using tactics.

Lesson Plan

Trigger-Tactic Map

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review and Print Materials

Step 1

Introduction & Objective Overview

Step 2

Trigger Identification Activity

Step 3

Map Creation

Step 4

Scenario Simulation Stations

Step 5

Tactic Reflection Log

Step 6

Coping Strategy Mastery & Next Steps

Slide Deck

Trigger ID Workshop

Workshop Objectives

What Is a Trigger?

Common Classroom Triggers

Common Social Triggers

Brainstorm Your Triggers

Next: Trigger-Tactic Map

Coming Up: Practice Stations

Activity

Journal

Rubric

Triggers and Tactics

Justine Wassef