Firm, but Flexible Planning Sheet

A fillable planning sheet for the Firm, but Flexible strategy — a proactive approach to reducing power struggles by identifying ahead of time which instructions are non-negotiable and where flexibility can genuinely be offered.

How to Use:

• Before a challenging situation, plan out the specific instruction or task
• Decide what is firm (the non-negotiable expectation)
• Identify where you can be flexible — pace, format, location, support, or timing
• Use the completed sheet to guide your approach in the moment

Ways to Be Flexible:

• Adjust the pace
• Modify the expectation
• Provide choices within the task
• Offer support in completing the task
• Support with self-regulation strategies
• Offer a change in location
• Allow a delay in starting the task
• Provide an alternative option

Who Is This For?

BCBAs, educators, and behavior staff who want to plan proactively for common challenging situations by giving students meaningful agency within clear structure.

Download and fill in this planning sheet before situations that commonly trigger power struggles — preparation is the strategy.