SENCos/ Teachers/ Mental Health Leads
Specialist Teachers
Educational Psychologists
Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs)
Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs)
Who are they for?
Ideal for use by;
What will they help me to do?
Using the ‘Understanding Me’ Cards enables staff/ professionals to:
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Hear directly from the child/ young person about how school feels for them
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Identify patterns across seven areas of psychological need
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Spot needs that are hard to see (e.g., sensory overload, fear of change, low self-esteem)
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Reduce guesswork and misinterpretation
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Build tailored, meaningful support plans (e.g. ISPs, Behaviour Plans)
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Strengthen relationships and trust between adults and pupils
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Create environments that prevent escalation and promote wellbeing
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Generate hypotheses quickly
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Highlight masking or hidden needs
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Support functional, need‑based formulation
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Provide child voice for reports (e.g. EHCPs, EP reports)
✅ Needs‑led, not behaviour‑led - helps adults identify unmet needs and support them, rather than focusing on behaviour.
✅ Neurodivergence‑affirming & trauma‑informed- sensitively phrased statements to incorporate a wide range of needs, including those commonly experienced by pupils with Autism, ADHD, or who have experienced trauma.
✅ Supports early intervention - spot needs early, before they are communicated through escalation in behaviour.
✅ Links to clear strategies - practical, evidence‑informed support ideas matched to every need area.
Why choose Understanding Me?
A quick, powerful way to understand what pupils really need.
✅ Created by an Educational Psychologist and grounded in psychological theory - built from seven research‑based need areas used by EPs and wellbeing specialists.
✅ Thoughtfully designed cards that are inclusive, and carefully designed to reflect thoughts and emotions in a safe, non-shaming, non-judgemental way.
✅ Includes a solution-focused 'debrief' card to ensure well-being and safety following the activity. Ensures that pupils feel hopeful, cared for, listened to and understood.
✅ Can be used across primary and secondary schools. Ideal for ages 8-16.
About the Creator
Dr Ali D’Amario is an experienced Educational & Child Psychologist and author, with titles including The School Mental Health Response Handbook (D'Amario & Rae, 2025). Ali is passionate about trauma-informed practice and supporting young people's emotional well-being and mental health.