The Bubble Brain Response Cards provide regulation-matched communication scripts that support supporters to respond — rather than react — during moments of calm, overwhelm, or shutdown.

Instead of focusing on behaviour, this tool helps match language and actions to an individual’s current nervous system state, prioritising safety, dignity, and autonomy.

How the Cards Are Organised

The resource is divided into three regulation-based sets:

Bubble Brain Response Cards

For calm, regulated, and thinking states

Wild Brain Response Cards

For emotional, overwhelmed, or reactive states

Cave Brain Response Cards

For shutdown, survival, freeze, fight, or flight states

This structure helps match support to capacity, not expectations.

Who This Resource Is For

Suitable for use by:

• NDIS participants

• Support workers

• Allied health professionals

• Behaviour support practitioners

• Support coordinators

• Families and carers

Can be used across home, community, therapy, and supported living environments.

How This Tool Helps

• Reduces escalation and distress

• Creates predictable, emotionally safe responses

• Supports co-regulation and grounding

• Avoids language overload during dysregulation

• Strengthens trust and felt safety

• Supports transitions back to calm states

Best Practice Guidance

Supporters are guided to:

• Ask: Is this person calm, overwhelmed, or shut down?

• Use minimal, calm language

• Match tone and pace to capacity

• Show cards visually when language can’t be processed

• Share a consistent approach across teams and families

Why This Approach Works

• Trauma-informed

• Regulation-first

• Dignity-affirming

• Non-punitive

• Supports autonomy and safety

What’s Included

• Bubble Brain Response Cards

• Wild Brain Response Cards

• Cave Brain Response Cards

• Guidance for safe, ethical use

Gentle Disclaimer

This resource is a supportive communication and regulation tool and does not replace therapeutic, clinical, or behaviour support plans.

Digital PDF download