PRACTICAL GUIDE

Plan the next three things without planning every minute.

A full list can make the day feel heavier. Three movable notes can show what matters now while leaving room for rest, choice and change.

Start with less than you think you need

Choose one thing for Now, one for Next and one that can safely wait until Later. If the plan is shared, prepare it with the person who will use it. A plan made about someone without them can feel like an instruction rather than support.

Keep each note clear

• Use one activity or decision per note.
• Prefer familiar language over clever shorthand.
• Leave visual space around the words or picture.
• Check that the note still makes sense out of context.

Change the plan openly

Moving a note is not failing the plan. Say what changed, offer a choice where there is one, then move or replace the note. If Later is becoming crowded, take some notes away rather than shrinking the text or filling every gap.

Use the help prompt as a conversation starter

Quiet, Move, Drink, Help and More time are deliberately broad. They are options, not a checklist and not a diagnosis. A person can point, use their own words or ignore the prompt. Add a separate familiar choice if the printed options do not fit.

Know when a desk mat is not the right tool

Loose cards can move in a breeze, sticky notes may not hold on every fabric, and a desk-sized mat is not portable. A small visual strip, phone tool or spoken reminder may suit some situations better. For medication, emergency steps or safety-critical supervision, use an appropriate reliable system rather than an everyday planning aid.