Mathematics Characteristics What it Looks Like in an Adult
Doesn't remember and/or retrieve math facts. Uses a calculator or counts on fingers for answers to simple problems; e.g., 2 X 5.
Doesn't use visual imagery effectively. Can't do math in his/her head and writes down even simple problems. Has difficulty making change.
Has visual-spatial deficits. Confuses math symbols. Misreads numbers. Doesn't interpret graphs or tables accurately. Has trouble maintaining a checkbook.
Becomes confused with math operations, especially multi-step processes. Leaves out steps in math problem- solving or does them in the wrong order. Can't do long division except with a calculator. Has trouble budgeting.
Has difficulties in language processing that affect the ability to do math problem-solving. Doesn't translate real-life problems into the appropriate mathematical processes. Avoids employment situations that involve this set of skills.
Thinking Characteristics What it Looks Like in an Adult
Has problems with abstract reasoning. Asks to see ideas on paper. Prefers hands-on ways of learning new ideas.
Shows marked rigidity in thinking. Resists new ideas or ways of doing things and may have difficulty adjusting to changes on the job.
Thinking is random as opposed to orderly, either in logic or chronology. May have good ideas that seem disjointed, unrelated or out of sequence.
Has difficulty synthesizing ideas. Pays too much attention to detail and misses the big picture or idea when encountering specific situations at home or at work.
Makes impulsive decisions and judgments. "Shoots from the hip" when arriving at conclusions or decisions. Doesn't use a structured approach to weigh options.
Has difficulty generating strategies to acquire/use information and solve problems. Approaches situations without a game plan, acting without a guiding set of principles.
"Other Difficulties" Characteristics What it Looks Like in an Adult
Has problems with attention, which may be accompanied by hyperactivity, distractibility or passivity. Doesn't focus on a task for an appropriate length of time. Can't seem to get things done. Does better with short tasks.
Displays poor organizational skills. Doesn't know where to begin tasks or how to proceed. Doesn't work within time limits, failing to meet deadlines. Work space and personal space are messy.
Has eye-hand coordination problems. Demonstrates poor fine motor control, usually accompanied by poor handwriting. Omits or substitutes elements when copying information from one place to another, as in invoices or schedules. Avoids jobs requiring manipulation of small items. Becomes frustrated when putting together toys for children.
Lacks social perception. Stands too close to people when conversing. Doesn't perceive situations accurately. May laugh when something serious is happening or slap an unreceptive boss on the back in an attempt to be friendly.
Has problems establishing social relationships. Problems may be related to spoken language disorders. Does not seem to know how to act and what to say to people in specific social situations and may withdraw from socializing.
Lacks "executive functions," including self- motivation, self-reliance, self-advocacy and goal-setting. Demonstrates over reliance on others for assistance or fails to ask for help when appropriate. Blames external factors on lack of success. Doesn't set personal goals and work deliberately to achieve them. Expresses helplessness.