Problem Solve It 1.2

The literature indicates that performance on cognitive tasks that mirror daily challenges—such as real-world problem-solving—serves as a more accurate indicator of functional cognitive abilities in individuals with cognitive impairments (e.g., Gold, 2012; Kimbler, 2013).

The Problem Solve It app is tailored to support individuals experiencing cognitive deficits, often due to conditions such as stroke or early-stage dementia. The problems incorporated within the app are inherently functional and relate to essential areas including social communication, financial management, health literacy, education, and personal reasoning.

Problem solving constitutes a critical component of everyday functioning. Through engaging activities within the app—such as navigating case scenarios and completing sentences with “if”—users are encouraged to identify problems, analyze potential solutions, and develop creative, strategic approaches to problem resolution.

The application features six distinct task types designed to foster problem-solving skills. These tasks involve solving everyday math problems, analyzing short scenarios, case-based decision making, sentence completion exercises, identifying missing links in sequences, and predicting potential issues in given situations. The interface employs real photographs alongside multiple-choice options and open-ended questions, enhancing user engagement and realism.

Problem Solve It offers a user-friendly navigation system coupled with several useful tools, including:

• the ability to add and manage multiple user profiles
• customizable settings
• saving progress and target goals for subsequent sessions
• automatic scoring options
• alternating counts for multiple users
• options to enable or disable sound effects
• audio recording of responses
• tracking of correct and incorrect responses
• generation of detailed reports in both tabular and graphical formats
• email functionality for sharing results at the conclusion of sessions

Author: Dr. Jayanti Ray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Developed by: Virtual Speech Center Inc.