Description
The Protective Response is often misunderstood as “defiance”, “attitude”, or a child being difficult on purpose. In reality, it’s a nervous system doing exactly what it was designed to do: protect. This visual pack helps adults truly understand what’s going on beneath the behaviour — and gives young people a way to recognise and name their own internal experiences, without shame or blame.
Designed in both full-colour poster style and a clean black-and-white version, these visuals are ideal for homes, classrooms, therapeutic settings, youth work, pastoral support, and any environment where a compassionate, brain-based approach is valued.
Each visual breaks down the Protective Response in clear, accessible language, showing how a young person’s body may react when they feel overwhelmed, unsafe, criticised, confused, or dysregulated. Instead of focusing on the behaviour alone, the resource guides adults to see the unmet need, the stressor, or the emotional load underneath.
Use these visuals to:
help a young person understand their reactions
open conversations around triggers, safety, and overwhelm
reduce shame and increase emotional literacy
support co-regulation and calmer responses
guide adults towards connection-led, science-informed support
Perfect for printing, displaying, or using in 1:1 sessions, this pack offers a grounding, compassionate explanation that helps everyone move away from “What’s wrong with you?” and towards “What happened to you — and how can I support you?”
Support young people. Empower adults. Build understanding together.
