"Thinking Skills" Definitions
The ability to think before you act.
What is Response Inhibition?
The ability to create a roadmap to reach a goal or complete a task.
What is Planning?
Sitting and staring at a blank paper or worksheet after instructions have already been given
What is a deficit in Task Initiation?
"Zoning out," being easily distracted, and asking questions that were just answered moments prior
What is a deficit in Sustained Attention?
Maya sets out to complete a major research paper, but she continuously changes her topic every few days, sets unrealistic targets, and quits as soon as it becomes difficult.
What is a deficit in Goal Setting?
The ability to begin tasks in a timely manner.
What is Task Initiation?
The ability to create and maintain a system to keep track of information.
What is Organization?
Carrying messy backpacks, losing physical or digital assignments, and showing up to class without supplies
What is a deficit in Organization?
Perseverating on an idea, needing the exact same seat every day, or struggling when shifting between classes.
What is a deficit in Flexibility?
Sam insists on sitting in the exact same seat every day, struggles when the class schedule changes, and gets stuck repeating the same task after the activity has shifted.
What is a deficit in Flexibility?
The ability to maintain focus in spite of distractions, fatigue, or boredom.
What is Sustained Attention?
The ability to monitor and be reflective about your own thinking, also known as metacognition.
What is Self Reflection?
Calling out, invading personal space, or touching others and objects without thinking first
What is a deficit in Response Inhibition?
Struggling to understand someone else's point of view, lacking empathy, or failing to check completed work.
What is a deficit in Self Reflection (Metacognition)?
Leo repeatedly loses both physical and digital copies of his homework, keeps a messy backpack, and shows up to class without a pencil or textbook
What is a deficit in Organization?
The ability to adapt to changing conditions, such as shifting activities or schedules.
What is Flexibility?
The ability to use time effectively and maintain a good "time sense"
What is Time Management?
Struggling to follow multi-step directions, having slow processing speed, or forgetting needed items at home.
What is a deficit in Working Memory?
Creating unrealistic goals, quitting easily, or changing plans frequently
What is a deficit in Goal Setting?
When attempting a complex, multi-step math problem, Jordan gets confused by too much information, forgets the verbal instructions, and displays a slow processing speed
What is a deficit in Working Memory?
The ability to manage emotions in order to achieve goals, complete tasks, and direct behavior.
What is Emotional Control?
The ability to hold and manipulate information in memory while performing complex tasks
What is Working Memory?
Exhibiting tantrums, crying inappropriately, having low frustration tolerance, or making irrational statements like "The teacher hates me"
Emotional Control?
Wasting time in class, arriving late, or misestimating how long an assignment will take
What is a deficit in Time Management?
Upon receiving feedback on an assignment, Alex shows low frustration tolerance, bursts into tears, and screams, "The teacher hates me!"
What is a deficit in Emotional Control?