RHI Resource Facilitation Department
9531 Valparaiso Court Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
Tel: (317) 329-2455 | Fax: (317) 872-0914
Sources: IU School of Medicine / Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana TBI Model Systems;
brainline.org, WETA. Further, the information in this FACT SHEET is also based on a consensus
of expert opinion of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Departments of Neuropsychology
and Resource Facilitation.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace advice from a medical professional. You
should consult your health care provider regarding specific medical concerns or treatments.
FACT SHEET
Brain Injury &
Problem-Solving/Decision-Making
What does this mean?
The term “problem solving” is often used to describe how we deal with everyday difficulties.
Yet, we do not often think about what the term means. What is problem solving? Problem
solving means applying a set of rules to everyday problems to solve them more quickly and
make decisions successfully. It involves several steps, including:
Define the problem: identify the problem in a clear and definite manner.
Brainstorming: generate lists of ideas for solving the problem, including the pros
and cons of each possible solution.
Try out solution: pick the solution with the most “pros” and fewest “cons” and try
it out.
Evaluate the outcome: determine if the solution worked to solve the problem; if
not, try another solution.
How might a brain injury affect problem-solving
ability?
It is common to have problems with reasoning, problem-solving and judgment.
There may be difficulty recognizing when there is a problem.
There may be trouble analyzing information or changing the way they are thinking
(being flexible or “thinking outside the box”).
There may be difficulty deciding the best solution to a problem, or may get stuck on one
solution and not consider other, better options.
Quick decisions may be made without considering the consequences, or the best
judgment may not be used (e.g. impulsivity).
Recommended strategies:
A speech therapist or psychologist experienced in cognitive rehabilitation can teach an
organized approach for daily problem-solving.
Work through a step-by-step problem-solving strategy in writing:
• Define the problem
• Brainstorm possible solutions
• List the pros and cons of each solution
• Pick a solution to try
• Evaluate the success of the solution
• Try another solution if the first one doesn’t work
Ask a support person to help you with these steps if you have difficulty.
Do you
have
trouble
making
decisions
since
your
brain
injury?
