SEVEN STEPS TO SOLVING PROBLEMS
STEP 1 Figure out what problem needs to be solved.
Ask yourself, “What do I need or want?”
STEP 2 Get information about your situation.
Ask questions so you can think up options.
STEP 3 Think of all of the ways the problem could be solved.
It may help to write these options down.
STEP 4 Think about the options for solutions.
Think about the good and bad points of each option.
STEP 5 Choose the best solution.
If other people are involved check with them.
If this doesn’t work, take your second choice.
STEP 6 Do what needs to be done to solve the problem.
This often takes courage.
STEP 7 Think about your solution.
Did you do the right thing?
Would you do it again?
Now you have a way to tackle a problem.
You may not always choose the best solution.
As you practice, you will find
that you can solve more and more problems
so that you are taking care of yourself and thinking of others!
Know to Grow
Handout C6-a
© University of Wisconsin-Madison 1998
Use the seven steps to problem solving to help a twelve year old boy with
PKU solve this problem:
He is tired of the taste of his formula.
STEP 1 Figure out what problem needs to be solved.
STEP 2 Get information about your situation.
STEP 3 Think of all of the ways the problem could be solved.
STEP 4 Think about the options for solutions.
Pros
Cons
STEP 5 Choose the best solution.
Circle the one you like best.
STEP 6 Do what needs to be done to solve the problem.
Step 7 Think about your solution.
Know to Grow
Handout C6-b
© University of Wisconsin-Madison 1998
Spinner for
The Explain Game
Use a brass fastener to attach the arrow to the spinner.
Know to Grow
Handout C6-c
© University of Wisconsin-Madison 1998
Name a
food from a
fast food
menu that
you can eat.
Try one of my
famous
brownies! All of
Jeff’s friends
love them!
You’re at
the top of
your game!
A waitress
asks, “Is that
all you are
having?”
You say…
Go
back two
spaces
How does
phe get into
your body?
State one
reason your
“milk” is part
of the PKU
diet.
free
space
How does
phe build
up in your
blood?
The Explain Game
© UW-Madison 1998
Why a special
diet? You
don’t need to
lose weight?
free
space
Why are you
just eating
that? Have a
burger!
Go back
two
spaces
Why do you
weigh your
food?
What does
PKU stand for
and how do
you get it?
Name 2
carriers for
PKU and move
ahead one.
Go back
two
spaces
free
space
To move off
START answer:
What is PKU?
Problems/Solutions
Do kids with PKU have more problems than other kids? Probably not. But they have
many food situations that could require problem solving. We gave your child a
seven-step problem-solving plan. Here is a copy for you (in case you never see the
other one!).
Seven Steps to Solving
Problems
1. Figure out what problem needs to
be solved.
2. Get information about your
situation. Ask questions!
3. Think of every way the problem
could be solved.
4. Think about the possible
solutions—the good and the bad
points of each option.
5. Choose the best solution.
6. Do what needs to be done to solve
the problem.
7. Think about your solution.
 Did you do the right thing? (Did you take
care of yourself while considering the
needs of others?)
 Would you do the same thing again?
This can be harder that it looks. Sometimes
your child is trying to solve a problem that is
really a result or symptom of the real problem.
For example, your child may be trying to solve
the problem “I’m hungry”. When the problem
is really “not drinking enough formula” or “not
eating low protein foods”. Help your child
keep asking “is this the real problem or the
result of the problem?” until you find the real
problem. Then you can move on to the next
step.
Be creative! There are usually
several good ways to solve a
problem. And as you go through the
steps you may find that your first
choice is not going to work. Having
lots of options ensures that your
second and third choice will be good
solutions to your problem too.
After thinking about this problem for
5 steps you finally get to act. Don’t
let your courage fail. Get the support
you or your child needs at this point
to follow through with the plan.
Even if your answer is “no” take heart in the fact that
you have learned and used a new skill. Many
situations allow you a second chance. Work through
the steps again for a more satisfying solution.
You may find your child using these steps to solve problems relating to the diet or to
other areas of his or her life. As you take the time to enable your child to work
through these steps you are equipping him or her with a valuable life skill.
Know to Grow
Handout C6-d, Family Letter
© University of Wisconsin-Madison 1998
Congratulations
________
has completed
Section C
of the
Know to Grow
program for PKU.
Know to Grow
Handout C6-e
© University of Wisconsin-Madison 1998