What is Consequential Thinking?
Consequential thinking is the ability to evaluate the costs and benefits of your choices. By pausing, evaluating, and responding, rather than reacting on autopilot, one can make better decisions. This thought process is developed as the brain develops. Consequential thinking is always lacking in students diagnosed with ADHD.
What happens when Consequential Thinking is lacking?
A lack of consequential thinking looks like this:
Not recognizing:
“ if I don’t complete this assignment on time, I will suffer the consequences of the teacher not letting me turn it in late, a poor grade, and the real possibility of my parents getting involved.”
I have asked all my students:
“What are you thinking when you decide not to complete a homework assignment?’
This is the response:
“ I don’t have to deal with it now.”
My next question is:
“What happens when the grade comes in, or your teacher, professor or parents get involved?
The answer is:
“I’ll deal with it, then.”
By playing out this script over and over again, the truth is, yes, dealing with it then, will always occur. However, the factor missing in this kind of thinking process is the stress and anxiety that comes in the long run. If this is a consistent pattern, anxiety rises and makes it difficult to even want to attend that class, being so behind in assignments.
Lack of this ability to think consequentially is one of the main reasons students have difficulty in school, especially in middle school and high school. College students fall into this trap as well, but, parents may not be involved until the quarter or semester grades come in.
How can therapy help to improve consequential thinking in ADHD students?
My way of assisting to develop this skill, so necessary for success, is to set up an accountability factor by meeting with students on a regular basis. I am privy to assignments and grades, and therefore, can discuss the situation before it occurs or deal with it, quickly after. It takes time to develop a more consistent pattern of a responsible work ethic, but it can be changed for the better.