Why We Built Reactions: Empowering Emotion Expression
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The Challenge
For many people on the autism spectrum, expressing their emotions isn't easy. Even for neurotypical individuals, describing emotions can be challenging. Words don't always come naturally, and conversations about emotions can quickly become confusing, uncomfortable, or overwhelming.
What Research Taught Us
A recent study from the University of Plymouth investigated how the storytelling board game Dixit aided autistic adults in expressing emotions through the use of illustrated cards. Participants used the images to describe how they felt, often revealing complex thoughts that might be hard to share in a typical conversation.
The researchers identified three main themes in how people responded to the cards:
- Cards showing anxiety or isolation were linked to emotional challenges
- Cards with empowering visuals helped express personal strengths
- Some cards sparked conversations about how society shapes our emotional understanding
The study demonstrated that images can serve as a powerful starting point. They provide people with a safer, easier way to express what they're feeling without needing to find the perfect words.
From Study to Solution
Traditional communication tools often rely heavily on spoken language. That creates barriers for people who think in pictures, not sentences. The success of the Dixit approach made one thing clear: using visual prompts to express emotions can reduce anxiety and open the door to more meaningful conversations.
That's Why We Built Reactions
Reactions is a set of 18 illustrated cards, each showing a common reaction or feeling. They're simple, expressive, and designed to make emotional conversations easier.
Here's how it works:
- Choose a card that matches your mood or reaction
- Use it to explain how you're feeling, even if you're not sure how to say it
- Share it with someone else and invite them to do the same
This deck isn't a game. It's a conversation tool. Whether you're using it with friends, family, classmates, or coworkers, it creates a shared language built around emotion and expression.
Why It Matters
- Helps people talk about emotions in a non-verbal way
- Reduces pressure to explain complex feelings with perfect words
- Encourages connection through simple, relatable imagery
- Builds empathy and emotional insight, one card at a time
Inspired by research and genuine needs, Reactions offers people of all backgrounds a new way to connect through emotions. Whether you're autistic, introverted, overwhelmed, or just unsure how to begin, this tool is here to help you share what's on your mind.
Reactions is a small thing with a big impact. That's why we made it.
