Flowcharts
Tap-through decision guides for common 'what do I do?' moments. Answer as you go.
Support a conversation Someone's finding it hard to communicate. Where's the difficulty?
Where's the main difficulty right now?
Slow down, one idea at a time, and add gestures, writing, or pictures. Check back that you've been understood.
Offer choices, give plenty of time, and accept gestures, drawing, or pointing. Don't finish their sentences unless asked.
Describe it together - what it's for, its group, the first sound - or move on and come back to it.
Great - keep it relaxed and celebrate the message, not perfect words.
Worried about swallowing? Coughing at meals can be a sign of unsafe swallowing. Let's sort urgent from routine.
Is the person choking or unable to breathe right now?
This is an emergency. Call your emergency number and start choking first aid now.
Do they often cough, gurgle, or sound 'wet' during or after eating and drinking?
Ask your GP for a speech & language therapy (SLT) swallow assessment - persistent signs need checking.
Occasional throat-clearing can be normal. Use safe-swallow habits and watch for any change.
Sit fully upright, take small bites, don't rush, avoid talking with a full mouth, and stay upright for a while after eating.
New confusion - what now? A sudden change in thinking is very different from a slow one.
Did the change in thinking or behaviour come on over hours or a few days?
Sudden confusion can be delirium - often from infection, dehydration, pain, or medication. Seek urgent medical help.
Gradual memory or thinking changes over months are worth discussing with your GP.
Keep sentences short, reduce background noise, and allow extra time to respond.
Feet frozen to the floor? Freezing is common in Parkinson's. A cue can get you moving again.
Do your feet feel stuck to the floor?
Try a cue: count '1-2-3-go', step over a line on the floor, or shift your weight side to side before stepping.
Stop, stand tall, and clear the path. Avoid doing two things at once (like talking while walking), then try the cue again.
Frequent freezing or unsteadiness? Ask your physiotherapist about cueing training and review medication timing with your team.
Nice - practise the cue that worked so it's ready next time.
Is this a brain emergency? Quick triage for worrying neurological symptoms. When in doubt, call for help.
Which fits best right now?
Treat as a stroke - call emergency services now. Note the time symptoms started; don't give food or drink.
Protect their head, time it, and roll them onto their side once jerking stops. Call for help if it lasts over 5 minutes, repeats, or is their first.
Watch for loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, confusion, weakness, or fluid from nose/ears.
Any of those? Emergency care now.
Keep a close eye for 24-48 hours and rest. Seek advice if anything worsens.
Not a sudden emergency - but new neurological symptoms still deserve a clinician's review.
My child isn't talking much yet A gentle guide. Children vary a lot - this helps you decide whether to check in.
How old is your child?
Lots of variation is normal. Talk, read, and respond to their sounds all day. Do they turn to sounds and voices?
Get hearing checked - it's quick, easy, and important for language. Mention it at your next health visit.
By 2, many children use two-word phrases and understand a lot. Very few words? Ask for a speech and language check - early help is easy.
If speech is hard for others to understand, or sentences stay very short, a speech and language therapist can help.
Great - keep talking, reading, singing, and playing turn-taking games. Follow their interests and give time to respond.