Tap AAC

I feel sick communication board: free printable

An I feel sick communication board lets a child who doesn’t speak, or doesn’t speak much, show what’s wrong when they’re unwell: tummy ache, headache, I might throw up, sore throat, hot, dizzy, and what they need: a bucket, bathroom, a drink, a cuddle. This free PDF has the board, with a row for how I feel now (better, the same, worse), and a page of sick cards for school to hand to a teacher or the nurse.

Download the free PDF US Letter, 2 pages, 1,069 KB

Portrait (tall page, 2 pages): US Letter PDF (1,069 KB) · A4 PDF (1,070 KB)

Landscape (wide page, 2 pages): US Letter PDF (1,069 KB) · A4 PDF (1,069 KB)

Printable I feel sick communication board. What’s wrong?: tummy ache, headache, I might throw up, I threw up, sore throat, earache, cough, runny nose, hot, cold and shivery, dizzy and tired. I need: a bucket, bathroom, tissues, a drink, medicine, blanket, pillow, rest, a cuddle, quiet, TV and call home. How do I feel now?: better, the same, worse.
Page 1: the I feel sick board.

Edit this board in the free board maker: change the words and pictures, then print.

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Who it’s for

Children who can’t easily say they feel unwell: children who don’t speak or don’t speak much, children whose talker has no words for being sick on its first page, and children who find it hard to notice or name what they feel inside. Parents can use it at home; teachers, aides and school nurses at school.

How to use it

  1. Teach it on a well day. Go through the pictures together, and use them about yourself: “When I have a headache, my head hurts here.”
  2. Keep it where being sick happens: by the bed, in the car, in the school bag.
  3. When your child seems unwell, bring the board and ask one question at a time: “Does your tummy hurt?” Point to tummy ache, and wait.
  4. Then ask what would help, from the I need rows.
  5. Ask again later with How do I feel now?: better, the same or worse. It shows you whether things are changing.

How it’s different from the where does it hurt board

The where does it hurt board is for pain: a body outline to point at, and a scale for how much it hurts. This board is for being sick: throwing up, a sore throat, feeling hot or shivery, dizzy or tired, and what helps when you’re unwell. Use them together when a child is sick and hurting.

Sick cards for school. Four big cards: I don’t feel well (point to this card, or hand it over), I need the nurse (please take me to the nurse’s office), I need the bathroom now (please let me go right away), and Please call my family (I want to go home). Eight small cards: tummy ache, headache, might throw up, dizzy, hot, bathroom, nurse and sick.
Page 2: sick cards for school.

Sick cards for school

At school, a child who feels unwell needs a quick way to tell whoever is nearby. Page 2 has four big cards, I don’t feel well, I need the nurse, I need the bathroom now and Please call my family, and eight small ones for a key ring. Show the cards to the teacher, the aide and the school nurse, and agree on what happens when a card is handed over.

Not medical advice

This board helps a child tell you how they feel. It isn’t medical advice, and it doesn’t replace a doctor or nurse. Only a grown-up gives medicine, as the label or the doctor says. If you’re worried, call the doctor or nurse. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What it can look like

Lily is seven and has a talker, but its first page has no words for feeling sick. At school one morning she goes quiet and puts her head on the desk. Her aide brings the sick cards, and Lily hands over I don’t feel well. On the small cards she points to tummy ache, then might throw up, and the aide takes her to the nurse’s office. The nurse shows her the big board, and Lily points to a bucket, then rest. An hour later the nurse asks, “How do you feel now?” Lily points to better.

What’s on the PDF

What’s wrong?

I need

How do I feel now?

Sick cards for school

Small cards

Printing tips

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These boards and guides are general information, not therapy or medical advice, and they don’t replace a speech therapist. A speech therapist who knows the person can help choose the right words, pictures and layout. The boards are free to print and share; please don’t sell them (terms of use). Questions about the boards? Email support@lmnoplabs.fun.