Self-Awareness Tip Sheet for Professionals

The ability a person has to assess their own abilities and limitations. Individuals with brain injury may not recognize changes in behavior personality. Up to 97% of individuals with a brain injury have difficulties in self-awareness.

Look for These Difficulties

Underestimating problem areas related to brain injury
Not following or understanding recommendations of providers
Inaccurate self-perception or self-image
Difficulties with recognizing a problem in the moment (lacking insight)
Difficulties with putting goals into action/monitoring progress
Difficulties with generalizing knowledge/abstract reasoning

Accommodations

Avoid directly confronting or challenging the individual's ideas about their abilities
Provide opportunities for self-discovery of errors
Introduce new ideas or options gradually
Use “supported risk-taking” techniques
Provide straight-forward, realistic and supportive feedback (For example,"Because your reaction times are very slow...this means you are not able to drive now.")
Suggest the use of a memory notebook, video reviews, or device, like a cellphone, to track progress
Set goals WITH the individual
Encourage the individual to get feedback from multiple people (family, peers, and friends) so they have more than one source of information