News
05 August 2006
Moved entire site to:
http://thiswayoflife.org
Moved blog to:
http://thiswayoflife.org/blog.
23 July 2006
Added A Story About Inappropriate Behavior
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!
OUTDATED WEBSITE!!!
This website is no longer being updated! To visit this page on
my current website, please use the following link:
http://thiswayoflife.org/lists.html
Please update any links you have to this site.
Using Reminders & Checklists
Because of my significant executive function difficulties, I have trouble organizing tasks, such as grooming or getting ready for bed. I also find myself needing to be reminded of certain things, such as going to work or remembering to eat. The format of these lists and reminders helps determine their success.
Reminders
Reminders are signs posted around my house to remind me to start certain tasks. For instance, I have one in my living room that tells me to remember to eat. They are typically use a large font, so that they are easy to read from across the room.
Checklists
Checklists are similar to reminders, but provide a detailed list of steps required to complete a task, such as grooming. Unlike reminders, checklists aren't intended to remind me to do a task, simply provide me with the steps I need to complete to finish it.
Limitations
Checklists and reminders will not motivate you! They only work when you will want to do a task and need help remembering either the task itself or the steps involved. If you find yourself wanting to do a task but forgetting, or forgetting steps in a task you want to do correctly, they can be very useful.
Making Reminders/Checklists
The format of these lists is as important as what they say. I format each reminder or list in a word processor, so that it will fit on a single sheet of paper. I use color and different font sizes to emphasize things that are either very important or easily forgotten.
Once printed, I laminate the reminders. This allows me to put them in places like the bathroom and kitchen, where water could be a problem. It also lets me write on them with a dry-erase marker, to make temporary notes and updates.
I then hang it on a wall, a door, or elsewhere using Velcro. I attach a few strips to the sheet and a few strips to what I'm hanging it on. I also attach a piece to the front, where there is some blank space. Attached to the Velcro on front is a dry-erase pen with Velcro attached to it. This allows me to always have easy access to a pen - otherwise I'd have to find a pen, and, in the process, probably forget why I was looking for the pen in the first place!
Placement
I place the reminders where I will notice them, even when I'm not looking for them. For instance, I have a reminder to eat on my living room wall, so that when I'm watching TV, I'll see it. For checklists, I place them where I will see them while I do that task. For example, the "morning routine" checklist is placed next to my mirror in the bathroom.
Content
It is easy for autistics to put too much on their checklists. Resist the urge to add steps that you can easily remember to the checklist. Keep them simple! But, at the same time, don't forget to put things on them that you do have trouble remembering!
In addition, for checklists, consider tasks that you would want to remind yourself to do, even if they are unrelated to the content of the checklist. For example, on my "before you leave" checklist, I include an item to water my plants. Since I know I almost always go through the "before you leave" list, I know that I will also remember to water my plants!
One of the reasons for the dry-erase pen is so that you can add temporary reminders. For instance, a friend of mine asks me to not wear any scented products when I visit, such as deodorant. When I know I'll be going to her house, I will make a note next to "deodorize" that I shouldn't do that on a certain day. Once that note is irrelevant, I simply erase it. Use the reminders and checklists to help yourself remember changes in your routines.
A Note About Revisions
Your first attempt at a checklist won't include everything it will need to include. But, if you aren't careful, you can end up spending hours writing a checklist to try to include every possible detail. Don't do that! Make the initial checklist and leave it on the wall for at least a week. When you notice is missing something, use your dry-erase pen to add the missing detail. Then, preferably once a month, make a new checklist or reminder if necessary.
My Lists
These are the checklists and reminders that I use. Each link includes information on the list's purpose, wording, and location.
Note that these lists work for me - they probably won't for anyone else. A person's lists are very individual. Each individual's unique needs need to be considered. You may also consider including pictures on your lists if you are a visual thinker. The most important aspect of a list is that it is useful for you, not that you follow my "formula"!