Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Project Reassure: For-Self-Advocates
These materials support the series of online courses available for self-advocates through the ASERT eLearning platform. To access those courses, click the button below:
Understanding Trauma: Self-Advocates
What is Trauma?
Trauma is an event that occurs and may affect people in different ways. Trauma may happen from things like: serious injury or harm, violence or death.
View ResourceWhat is Trauma: Social Story
This resource provides a visual explanation of trauma and the feelings associated with it.
View ResourceTypes of Trauma
Trauma and traumatic events can happen in many different ways . This resource has definitions and examples of how trauma can happen.
View ResourceHow Trauma Looks
People may go through the same trauma but respond in different ways. Some people may show signs of traumatic stress and others may have few or no signs.
View ResourceTrauma and Sleep Problems: Social Story
This resource visually explains how trauma can affect sleep.
View ResourceTraumatic Stress
Trauma affects everyone differently. Not everyone that experiences trauma will be diagnosed with PTSD.
View ResourceSurvival Circuit and Post-Traumatic Stress
The survival circuit is how our bodies and brains respond to threats around us. Our brains are made to respond this way to help us survive threats and stress. Resource also deals with PTSD and the Survival Circuit.
View ResourceThe Four “F”s
There are different ways your body can react when your brain thinks there is a threat. These are sometimes called the "Four F's."
View ResourceUnderstanding Resilience: Self-Advocates
Introduction to Resilience Self Advocates
Resilience can be explained in many different ways. It can also mean different things. Everyone has resilience! When we talk about resilience, we are talking about staying calm and in control when faced with a challenge.
View ResourceWhat is Resilience: Social Story
This resource, developed by ASERT, provides a visual explanation of what resilience means.
View ResourceA Guide to Resilience
Resilience can be explained in many different ways. It can also mean different things. Everyone has resilience! When we talk about resilience, we are talking about staying calm and in control when faced with a challenge.
View ResourceResilient Zone: Social Story
This resource visually explains the concept of the Resilient Zone and managing emotions.
View ResourceThe Resilient Zone
The Resilient Zone is when we are in a place to be able manage our feelings and thoughts. The Resilient Zone can also be called the "OK" Zone.
View ResourceEmotions Inside and Out of the Resilient Zone: Learning to Widen It
We can be sad, mad, happy, calm, worried, and/or distressed in this zone all at once while still being able to manage it all. Our emotions simply exist in the Resilient Zone, there is no right or wrong way to feel.
View ResourceTrauma-Informed and Resilience-Informed
Trauma-informed care providers need to know what their patients have been through and how it has affected them. This will allow them to provide the specific type of care they think is best for every individual they see.
View ResourceResilience Skills: Self-Advocates
Introduction to Resilience Skill: Self-Advocates
Staying in your Resilient Zone or “OK” Zone helps you to keep working on your goals. But how do you know where you are in your Resilient or “OK” Zone? And what can you do if you are moved out of your zone?
View ResourceTracking: Social Story
This resource visually explains Tracking, a technique used to pay closer attention to thoughts and feelings.
View ResourceWhat is Tracking and Why is it Important?
Tracking is a way to help you stay in or get back to your Resilient Zone or “OK" Zone. When you use tracking you pay attention to what is happening with your mind and body. We sometimes call these thoughts and feelings in our mind and body “sensations."
View ResourceLearning How to Track and Practicing Tracking
Tracking is when you pay attention to what is happening with your mind and body. Tracking can help you pay attention to good feelings in your mind or body to help you stay in your "OK" or Resilient Zone.
View ResourceResourcing: Social Story
This social story explains the concept of Resourcing to use people, places, things, and ideas to feel better.
View ResourceResourcing and How to Practice It
Resourcing is a resilience skill that uses people, places, things, and ideas to help you feel better. Includes how to practice Resourcing.
View ResourceGrounding: Social Story
This resource provides a visual explanation of Grounding, which is paying attention to the environment to help improve emotions and stay calm.
View ResourceWhat is Grounding and How to Practice It
Grounding is a way of focusing on things that are happening right now. One of the simplest ways to do this is to pay attention to the sensations in your body. Includes instructions on how to practice Grounding.
View ResourceGesturing: Social Story
This resource visually explains Gesturing, which is using movements to help improve mood.
View ResourceWhat is Gesturing and How to Practice It
Gestures can be movements to show what we are thinking or feeling. Gestures can show when we feel angry, happy, sad, and other feelings. Includes instructions on how to practice Gesturing.
View ResourceShift and Stay: Social Story
This social story helps explain the idea of Shift and Stay, which helps change thoughts to stay in the Resilient Zone.
View ResourceWhat is Shift and Stay and How to Practice It
Shift and Stay is a skill you can use to change your thoughts and get back into your Resilient Zone. Includes instructions on how to practice Shift and Stay.
View ResourceHelp Now: Social Story
This resource visually explains the skill called Help Now, which uses strategies to help calm down.
View ResourceWhat is Help Now and How to Practice It
Help Now is a skill you can use when you feel overwhelmed. When you are faced with a lot of challenges, it can be hard to stay in your Resilient or “OK” Zone. Includes instructions on how to practice Help Now.
View ResourceResilience Skills Overview
This resource explains the resilience skills of Tracking, Resourcing, Gesturing, Grounding, Shift and Stay, and Help Now.
View ResourceChoosing Resilience Skills: Self-Advocates
High Zone Reactions in my Brain: Social Story
This resource visually explains negative emotions that can happen and how to return to the "OK" Zone.
View ResourceHigh Zone Reactions in My Body: Social Story
This resource visually explains negative feelings in your body and how to return to the "OK" Zone.
View ResourceWhen I’m In The Low Zone: Social Story
This social story provides information about how to recognize when you are feeling down and recommendations about what you can do to feel better.
View ResourceRecognizing a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis means that a person’s feelings or problems are so strong that they cannot do what they need to do that day. A mental health crisis may also mean that the person is at risk of hurting themselves or others.
View ResourceManaging a Mental Health Crisis
Having a plan can help you to get through a mental health crisis more easily or even prevent a crisis from happening.
View ResourceBuilding a Resilience Plan
A resilience plan is sometimes called a self-care plan. It is a way to help you widen your Resilient or “OK” Zone and have a plan for how to use the skills.
View ResourceThis information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.