Safety & Check-In Toolkit | Social Story + Greetings + Feelings Chart for Inclusive & Adaptive Gymnastics

Starting inclusive and adaptive gymnastics classes can feel chaotic. Athletes may arrive with different energy levels, emotional states, and regulation needs. Without consistent tools, coaches end up spending valuable class time repeating expectations, calming nerves, or managing behaviors.

The Safety & Check-In Toolkit gives you three powerful visuals to start class smoothly, reinforce expectations positively, and support athletes’ regulation in a neurodiversity-affirming way. Instead of repeating corrections or guessing how an athlete is feeling, you’ll have predictable systems that make every athlete feel safe, seen, and ready to participate.

How this makes your classes easier:

• Smooth entry routines: Athletes choose their greeting with the Hello Choices Visual.
• Check nervous system states: Use the How Are You Feeling Chart + thumbs up/sideways/down system to know how athletes are arriving.
• Reinforce expectations proactively: Read the Safety Social Story to set consistent guidelines for moving safely in the gym.
• Reduce repeated corrections.
• Lower anxiety for athletes by making routines predictable and visual.
• Build consistency across staff while preserving athlete autonomy.

What’s Included:

✅ Gymnastics Safety Social Story (with blank template for customizing rules/photos)

✅ Hello Choices Visual (hang on door for greetings)

✅ How Are You Feeling Chart (check-ins with thumbs system)

✅ Instruction sheet with implementation tips

✅ Neurodiversity-affirming language that centers safety, belonging, and autonomy

Who it’s for:

• Gymnastics, trampoline, and movement coaches
• Adaptive & inclusive class leaders
• Therapists running group sessions
• Any coach wanting predictable, safe, and supportive class routines