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Understanding Emotional Literacy

This in-depth article explores how tailored strategies—such as visual aids, social narratives, and structured emotional literacy tools—can empower adults to better recognise, interpret, and communicate their feelings. Drawing on peer-reviewed studies and trusted resources, it provides practical guidance for families, carers, and professionals supporting emotional development in adult life.

Why Emotional Literacy Matters in Adult Life

For adults with learning disabilities and autism, difficulties in recognising, understanding, and expressing emotions can contribute to mental health problems, social isolation, and increased dependence on others. Emotional literacy—the capacity to recognise one's own emotions and those of others, and to manage them appropriately—is a crucial life skill.

Yet traditional approaches to emotional wellbeing often fail to account for communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and learning styles that are common in adults with autism and learning disabilities.

Fortunately, with the right supports, emotional literacy can be developed throughout adulthood—improving mental health, building stronger relationships, and fostering greater independence.

Understanding And Expressing Emotions

Visual Aids to Support Emotional Expression

Visual aids provide structure, reduce anxiety, and offer concrete cues to help individuals communicate how they feel. Common visual tools include:

  • Emotion Cards: Simple cards with expressive faces labeled with feelings (e.g. “frustrated,” “proud”) help users match what they’re feeling to a visual.

  • Feelings Thermometers: A graduated scale (from calm to overwhelmed) that allows individuals to identify emotional intensity.

  • Visual Diaries: Used daily to record emotions, helping spot patterns or triggers over time.

  • Choice Boards: Used to express preferences and needs when verbal language is limited.

Real-World Example: Tom, a 45-year-old man with autism, was regularly becoming distressed in his supported living home during changes to his routine. Staff introduced a simple “How I Feel Today” visual board with cartoon faces. Over time, Tom began to use it proactively—placing the ‘worried’ face on his board before a planned GP visit. This allowed staff to prepare him better and talk through his feelings ahead of time, reducing his anxiety and the likelihood of outbursts.

Social Narratives for Adult Situations

Social narratives (sometimes called social stories) are short, personalised explanations of situations that are likely to cause emotional confusion. They’re especially effective for explaining new routines, social expectations, or emotional experiences.

For adults, it's crucial that these are:

  • Age-appropriate (e.g., explaining a workplace misunderstanding rather than playground rules)

  • Clear and structured (often including what to expect, what to do, and what others might think/feel)

  • Supported by images or symbols if necessary

Real-World Example: Maria, a 38-year-old woman with a moderate learning disability, became withdrawn and tearful following the death of her father. A support worker created a social narrative that explained grief in simple terms and reassured her that sadness is a normal feeling. It included reminders of who she could talk to, and suggestions like looking at photo albums or lighting a candle. Maria began asking to read the story when she felt sad, helping her process her feelings more constructively.

Embedding Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) for Emotional Well-being

The British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) advocates for Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) as a comprehensive framework to improve the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. PBS focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviours and developing supportive environments that meet individual needs.bild.org.uk

Key components of PBS include:

  • Person-Centred Planning: Collaborating with individuals to identify their preferences, strengths, and goals.

  • Functional Assessment: Analyzing behaviours to determine their purpose and the factors influencing them.

  • Skill Development: Teaching alternative skills that serve the same function as challenging behaviours.

  • Environmental Adjustments: Modifying surroundings to reduce triggers and promote positive interactions.bild.org.uk

By implementing PBS, support teams can create consistent and empathetic strategies that empower individuals to express their emotions constructively.

Real-World Example: In a supported living environment, staff noticed that Alex, a 35-year-old man with autism, often became agitated during mealtimes. Through PBS, they conducted a functional assessment and discovered that the dining area’s noise levels were overwhelming for him. By introducing noise-cancelling headphones and allowing him to dine during quieter periods, Alex's anxiety decreased, leading to more relaxed and enjoyable mealtimes. Keyworker Reflections

Real-World Example: In a supported employment scheme, staff noticed that James, a 30-year-old with autism, struggled to deal with feedback at work. They introduced Zones of Regulation and helped him identify when he was in the “yellow zone” (anxious or frustrated). Over time, James learned to request a break when he felt his emotions building. His manager reported fewer incidents, and James became more confident in his role.

Support Worker Reflection. Consistent 1:1 time where staff reflect with service users on their day—what made them happy, sad, or frustrated—building emotional vocabulary and trust.

– British Institute For Learning Disability

Positive Practice: Embedding Emotion Support in Daily Life

Supporting emotional literacy doesn’t require specialist therapists—what matters is consistency, patience, and a commitment to tuning into the individual’s world. Strategies should be:

  • Individualised: Based on how the person best learns and communicates

  • Embedded: Built into daily routines, not just therapy sessions

  • Collaborative: Shared with families, day services, and professionals for continuity

  • Strengths-based: Focusing on what the person can do and building confidence

Conclusion

With the right tools, adults with learning disabilities and autism can grow in emotional awareness, develop healthier relationships, and live with greater autonomy. Emotional literacy is not just a “soft skill”—it’s foundational to wellbeing, communication, and inclusion. By investing in personalised supports, we can create environments where adults are not only heard, but understood.

Further Reading and Peer-Reviewed Research

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