Companion to the book
The Perception Toolkit
The material The Perception Revolution refers to, free and without an email wall. Written to the person inside the system: the SHIELD framework in one page, the universal design checklist, the practice cards, and a support section at the back.
If you run an organization, the instruments that measure what a system is doing to the people in it are on the tools page, and they take about six minutes each.
Foundation
The SHIELD framework
The core framework, covering individual protection and organizational design. The full version, element by element, is on the SHIELD framework page.
SHIELD Framework one-page summary
One framework covering the two perspectives of individual protection and organizational design. Six metrics, specific survey questions, targets, and implementation guidance.
Download PDFSHIELD Universal Design Checklist
A practical implementation guide for neurodivergent-inclusive workplaces. Specific changes organized by SHIELD element, with implementation priorities.
Download PDFMeasure it
Two Checks, and who they are for
The Signal Loss Check and the Offloaded Judgment Check measure an organization's practices rather than a person's traits, so they are written for whoever can change those practices. If that is you, both are free and neither saves or sends anything: they are on the tools page.
The complete toolkit
Five resources, one download
Everything for putting SHIELD to work day to day and with a team. Enter your email and all five arrive at once.
Free. No account required. Unsubscribe any time.
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Daily SHIELD Practice Card
A printable one-page card with morning check-in and evening reflection prompts for each SHIELD element.
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Emergency Response Protocols
The STOP method when triggered, REST when drained, and SAFE when under attack, plus the Body Wisdom quick reference.
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Energy Extractor Early Warning Checklist
A three-tier diagnostic: first-meeting red flags, escalation warning signs, danger-zone indicators, and the five types.
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Essential Boundary Scripts
Ready-to-use language for workplace and personal boundaries, the Universal Power Phrases, and the Broken Record technique.
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90-Day Plan and Manager's Quick Wins
A personal twelve-week SHIELD implementation plan, and a four-week guide for running it with your team.
Recovery and support
Healing after toxic exposure
If the book stirred up buried experiences, you are not alone. Everything below is freely available and none of it asks for an email.
If you are in immediate crisis
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988
Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233
Recognizing when to seek therapy
Flashbacks or intrusive memories increasing. Body memories with no current cause. Repeating the same patterns despite knowing better. Every authority figure feeling like a past one. Success feeling dangerous. These are signs that professional support can speed up the work.
Seeking therapy is not admitting defeat. It is allocating resources sensibly. You would not try to be your own dentist, and some emotional wounds need professional care for the same reason.
Finding the right therapist
Look for specialization in trauma and CPTSD, neurodivergent-affirming approaches, and an understanding of high sensitivity. Effective approaches include EMDR, Internal Family Systems, somatic therapies and narrative therapy.
Red flags: a therapist who treats your sensitivity as the problem, who does not understand emotional manipulation, who pushes forgiveness before safety, or who makes you feel like too much.
Search at psychologytoday.com, openpath.com for affordable therapy, or your insurance provider's directory.
The first year
Immediate stabilization: prioritize sleep, eat protein regularly, move gently, limit stimulation, and find one safe person to talk to.
Roughly, the stages run: months one to three, stabilization, where surviving is enough. Months four to six, understanding. Months seven to nine, boundaries. Months ten to twelve, growth. After that, thriving.
It is not linear. Some days you will feel strong and others you will barely function. Both are progress.
Books that support the work
Complex PTSD by Pete Walker · The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk · Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson · The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron
Your perception is not a deficit. It is information about how to shape the environment you work in, and what you can contribute to it.
The Perception Revolution by Peter Mann · shieldperception.com
Running this with a leadership team rather than on your own? One quarter, two numbers.