Support the needs beneath the behaviour

The Understanding Me Cards are organised around seven core categories of need: Autonomy & Independence, Learning & Confidence, Self‑worth & Identity, Belonging & Relationships, Sensory Needs, Physical Well‑being, and Safety & Regulation. Together, these reflect the main psychological, developmental and physiological needs that influence how children and young people feel, behave and engage at school. These categories were created using well‑established psychological theories, including Self‑Determination Theory (which highlights the importance of autonomy, competence and connection), attachment theory, sensory integration theory, polyvagal and regulation‑based models, and research into executive functioning, emotional development and wellbeing. Rather than being tied to a single model or diagnosis, the categories bring together what decades of psychology and educational research consistently show: behaviour is shaped by unmet needs across multiple domains, not by one single cause.  Importantly, these categories are not labels and they do not suggest that one ‘type’ of child fits one box. Most children will show needs across more than one area at different times. The purpose of the categories is to support understanding and reflection, helping adults identify which needs are most relevant in a moment, so that responses are thoughtful, compassionate and genuinely matched to the child.