I developed this board game as a professional development experience for teachers with the intent of illustrating how what teachers do can impact the experience of students with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.
The object of the game: Survive your school day before you run out of “spoons” (energy and ability to cope), or get in too much trouble.
When I hosted this for my colleagues, it prompted meaningful reflection and discussion of their methods, and how their approach can help, or hinder their neurodivergent students.
How to Play
On our turn:
- Roll 2d6 and move around the blue and purple circle.
- If you land on a blue space, draw a blue action card. Adjust your black consequence and multi-colored spoon count accordingly.
- If you land on a purple space with a smartphone icon, draw a purple phone card. Adjust your black consequence and multi-colored spoon count accordingly.
- Action cards and phone cards have a multicolored square for spoons, and black square with white text for consequences.
End of the Round: Going to Class
- At the end of every round, after each player has taken a turn, this signals Going to Class. In the Going to Class phase, each player must make a choice that will impact your spoons and consequences.
| Crushing it | Arrive at class on time, and prepared. | -4 spoons, +0 consequences |
| I’m Trying, OK?! | Arrive to class late, but prepared (or on time, but unprepared) -2/+1 | -2/+1 |
| Whatever | Arrive to class late, and unprepared -0/+4 | -0/+4 |
Scoring, Winning and Losing
- If you survive 7 “classes” (rounds) with at least one spoon, and without maxing out your consequences, you “win” by making it through the day without having a melt-down, or getting suspended!
- The player with the most spoons at the end of 7 rounds wins.
Sarah Murphy 