DIY SELF HELP MEMORY AID FOR ACCOMPLISHING TASKS | MEMORY DISABILITY

Описание: DIY SELF HELP MEMORY AID FOR ACCOMPLISHING TASKS | MEMORY DISABILITY

Topic:
Sharing a memory aid tool I made for myself to be able to accomplish tasks with multiple steps. A “1 step per page mini-book“ I customize for my needs and a revised, simplified version because my original version was too difficult.

Content:
A disc-bound mini-book was made out of index cards cut in half, holes punched, bound on discs (discs available online and at office & craft supply stores). How I use mine. What I learned. How I improved it. How it works. Why I needed it. What my disability is like for me. What to expect from this tool. What to expect from the user. A little about my disability, my challenges. Why brain disabilities are not as accommadatable as other disabilities.

DIY:
The tasks are devided by index cards that are cut to a length slightly longer than the cards cut in half. The steps of the tasks are written on the half-cards/step-cards and placed in-between the longer Task Labeled cards. A trimmed sticky note is attached to the back of a step-card where a procedural or mental shift/transition is to be conveyed to the reader so they do not become confused and mentally overlap the sections/group of steps. If they do, they may make mistakes while believing they are still in the previous task group/section or they may not remember that they did that step and try to repeat it or become afraid, not knowing where they stopped being successful or may panic. It is important that the user experiences a calm success so that it does not become a trigger for anxiety or PTSD. So, its best to start TOO EASY AND INCREASE IT TO THEIR COMFORTABLE ABILITY LEVEL rather than to start out too difficult and it become associated with failure and fear at which point it will be useless or even a negative trigger. When the Tasks have been labeled on the longer cards and the subtasks/steps of the task have been written on the shorter cards and the manual or mental shifts/transitions have been determined and written on sticky notes and they have been attached to the back of the last step in that group of subtasks/steps then the user can utilize the mini-book by choosing the book that is for the corresponding task and flipping one page at a time and doing the step or steps on each card. The sticky note-markers will let the user know when a series of steps has been completed and the next series/set/group is starting. The longer Task labels will let the user know that the task is done. A colored divider can be inserted to make the user know to stop and not move again into the previous parts that they already did. Tasks of similar subjects like Waking/Sleeping, Leaving/Returning Home/Work, Making Meals , can be grouped on the same set of Discs. Or a series of tasks like Morning Tasks, Afternoon Tasks, Nightly Tasks can be bound on one set of Discs. It's important to keep it simple. A large bundle of various tasks with all their individual step sets could be very overwhelming for the user. On the other hand, too many small mini-books could be too much to keep track of. So, it's necessary to define SIMPLE according to the user's needs and abilities. Again, starting out too simple is better than starting out too difficult and creating a mental or emotional block/trigger of this tool.

Disclaimer:
I am not a trained professional. This is my own created tool that I use to manage my disability and I am merely sharing my opinions on the best way to use it from my own unprofessional personal viewpoint. You are welcome to try it but if you feel you need professional advise then you should share this video with an appropriate, professional care provider, doctor or therapist before trying it. I am not responsible if you choose of your own free will to try my tool as I have described it. If you do any of the things I have described here or in the video, you do so at your own risk. You are free to consult a professional first and obtain their professional advice/recommendation.