Reasoning & Abstract Thinking Skills

Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

What are they?

There are a collection of cognitive, or thinking, skills that are often discussed as a group and often called `executive functions' or `higher level thinking skills'. These skills include reasoning and abstract thinking. These skills help people to understand concepts that are abstract or not immediately obvious and generalise skills to different situations. These skills are often affected by acquired brain injury.

What do problems with reasoning & abstract thinking look like?

The following list outlines some of the common difficulties that may be seen on an everyday basis that could indicate problems in this area.

• Not understanding new concepts, especially theoretical ideas.
• Not `getting' jokes and other comments involving figural speech because they interpret them too literally.
• Not understanding material where information is not explicit and inferences are required.
• Not following reasoning provided in lessons or discussions
• Not generalising solutions, strategies and ideas to new situations because they can't see the relationship.

What strategies might help?

• Avoid the use of abstract or figural language where possible, for example, try not to use sarcasm.
• Provide concrete, everyday examples to explain new and difficult concepts where possible.
• Use simple and direct language.
• Provide learning material in the most simplified and obvious form possible, avoiding the need for inference as much as possible.
• Help the child master a specific task then present other similar tasks or situations and encourage them to apply what they learned on the specific task and to understand that solutions and strategies can be generalised.

Who do I see and how is it diagnosed?

Difficulties with memory and new learning following acquired brain injury generally improve gradually over time. These problems, however, may continue in some children. Difficulties with memory, as well as other cognitive difficulties are formally identified by a neuropsychological assessment. A neuropsychologist can help devise compensatory and management strategies that are suitable for each individual child and their cognitive profile. Another health professional who may become involved is the cognitive therapist.

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/