SKILL: Reasoning
DIFFICULTY: 5/5
LEVELS: 3, based on the number of solutions to rank (2, 3, or 4)
BRIEF RATIONALE: This problem-solving treatment encourages people to consider different solutions, make decisions, and think about their choices.
In Ranking Solutions to Problems, you will be given a written problem in one of the following categories: education, finance, food and drink, health, household, hygiene, leisure, safety, social, technology, transportation, or vocation.
You will be given two or more possible solutions to rank from best to worst. Once you are satisfied with the order, you will submit your answer.
Following a correct response, you will be asked: “What are the pros and cons of each solution?” Although this metacognitive question is not scored, it allows you to think about and discuss why you sorted the solutions in that order.
The treatment auto-adjusts in difficulty by increasing the number of possible solutions to rank.
HINT: A hint button is available in the lower-left corner of the screen to reveal the correct position of one solution. The hint can be used multiple times. Using the hint will mark the item as incorrect, but may help you rank the remaining solutions.
FOR THE CLINICIAN:
By exploring solutions, anticipating consequences, and deciding which is best, you are exercising multiple areas of cognition such as attention, memory, planning, reasoning, and problem solving. The design is based on the problem-solving component of the Short-Term Executive Plus (STEP) approach by Gordon et al. (2006), the Steps of Problem-Solving by Ylvisaker & Feeny (1998), and the evidence supporting metacognitive approaches for deficits in executive functioning.
Selected References:
- Gordon, W. A., Cantor, J., Ashman, T., & Brown, M. (2006). Treatment of post-TBI executive dysfunction. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 21(2), 156–167.
- Jeffay, E., Ponsford, J., Harnett, A., Janzen, S., Patsakos, E., Douglas, J., Kennedy, M., Kua, A., Teasell, R., Welch-West, P., Bayley, M., & Green, R. (2023). INCOG 2.0 guidelines for cognitive rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury, part III: Executive functions. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 38(1), 52–64.
- Ylvisaker, M. & Feeney, T. (1998). Collaborative Brain Injury Intervention: Positive Everyday Routines. San Diego: Singular.