E-Motiva: Supporting Mental Health and Emotional D

Empowering Minds, Enhancing Emotions, Building Inclusion

E-Motiva is an innovative program designed to support the mental health and emotional development of neurodivergent students, particularly those on the autism spectrum. By combining Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and STEAM methodologies, E-Motiva helps students build emotional literacy, self-regulation, and social skills in an inclusive, engaging way. The program empowe

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated May 2025

Web presence

2025

Established

40 2025

1

Countries

All students

Target group

Through E-Motiva, I hope to see a shift towards more Portuguese inclusive and emotionally supportive classrooms, where neurodivergent students, especially those on the autism spectrum, develop key 21st-century skills like critical thinking and emotional regulation. My goal is to foster an environment where emotional well-being and academic success go hand in hand, helping all students thrive.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

I created E-Motiva to support the emotional development and mental health of neurodivergent students, particularly those on the autism spectrum. By integrating Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and STEAM, it equips students with essential emotional regulation and social skills while fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment for all.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

In practice, E-Motiva involves structured activities to support neurodivergent students, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Students use emotion cards to identify feelings, practice self-regulation with tools like the Calm-Down Wheel, and engage in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to solve real-world problems. STEAM activities allow students to create and explore projects that enhance both emotional and cognitive skills.

Teachers receive training modules to implement these strategies, fostering an inclusive and supportive classroom. Visual aids like emotion charts, calm-down strategies, and digital mood trackers help students monitor and regulate emotions, promoting self-awareness and resilience. The program is adaptable and personalized, ensuring that each student, especially neurodivergent learners, can thrive emotionally and academically in a creative, engaging environment.

How has it been spreading?

E-Motiva is currently being applied at our school, with plans for expansion through my involvement in network educational sites. Although still in early stages, the program has shown great potential in supporting neurodivergent students, particularly those on the autism spectrum. E-Motiva focuses on enhancing 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication, while promoting emotional regulation and resilience. The positive impact at our school has generated interest from other educators. By sharing the program through educational networks, I aim to help teachers equip students with these essential skills in an inclusive environment, expanding E-Motiva to more schools and fostering success for neurodivergent students in an ever-evolving world.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

To try E-Motiva, simply reach out to me through my email luismesquitafonseca@hotmail.com to express your interest. I’ll provide you with session plans, activity templates, and training modules for teachers. Start by implementing the program in select classes, gather feedback, and share your results for further adaptation.

Implementation steps

Familiarize with the Program

The very first step to putting E-Motiva into practice is to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the program. Review all the provided resources, including session plans, activity templates, visual aids (like emotion cards), and the teacher training modules. This helps you understand the core methodologies—Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and STEAM—and how they come together to support neurodivergent students.

Teacher Training

The second step is to participate in a teacher training session. This training will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement E-Motiva in your classroom. You'll learn how to integrate emotional intelligence, self-regulation techniques, and 21st-century skills into your lessons, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, especially neurodivergent ones.

Select Target Group

The third step is to select your target group of students. Focus on neurodivergent students, particularly those on the autism spectrum, as they will benefit most from the emotional regulation and social skills practices embedded in the E-Motiva program. You can start by introducing the program to a specific class or group to ensure focused implementation and monitoring of progress.

Implement Activities

The next step is to implement the activities. Start with simple, engaging exercises like using emotion cards in paper and AI created to help students identify and express their feelings. Gradually introduce more structured activities such as calm-down strategies, problem-based learning (PBL) exercises, and STEAM projects that encourage creativity and critical thinking. Ensure that the activities are accessible and adaptable to the needs of your

Monitor Progress

The next step is to monitor progress. Track students' emotional growth, engagement, and academic performance throughout the program. Use tools like digital mood trackers and gather feedback from students and teachers to assess how well the program is supporting emotional regulation, social skills, and overall well-being. This step will help you identify areas that need adjustment or improvement.

Evaluate and Adjust

The next step is to evaluate and adjust the program based on the progress and feedback gathered. Review the outcomes to see what’s working well and where improvements are needed. Adjust the activities, resources, or teaching approaches to better meet the needs of your students. This continuous evaluation ensures that E-Motiva remains effective and impactful for all learners.

Expand

The final step is to expand the program. Once you've seen success with your initial group, consider scaling E-Motiva to other classes or even other schools. Share your experiences and results with colleagues, offer support in implementing the program, and collaborate with other educators to foster a broader, inclusive educational environment that supports neurodivergent students and emotional well-being for all.