You chose:

"Barb, sounds rough. Tell me a bit more about what’s going on. What types of assignments do you have? How long does it take you to do them? Let’s try to brainstorm and think of some solutions to this problem. We can talk about what is good and what is bad about the different plans. Then you can decide which is the best one."

This is the correct answer.

If you chose D, congratulations. You are developing the skills you need to be a good mentor and help your partner learn to solve problems.

In this example, the mentor:

• Listens to Barb and empathizes. For example, the mentor writes:

"Barb, sounds rough."

• Asks specific questions to help Barb describe the specific problem and describe why this is a problem (Step 1 of DO IT!). For example, the mentor writes:

"Tell me a bit more about what’s going on. What types of assignments do you have? How long does it take you to do them?"

• Encourages Barb to outline different ways to solve the problem (Step #2 in DO IT!). The mentor writes:

"Let’s try to brainstorm and think of some solutions to this problem."

• Encourages Barb to identify the consequences of these potential plans (Step #3 of DO IT!). For example, the mentor writes:

"We can talk about what is good and what is bad about the different plans. Then you can decide which is the best one."

In this answer, the mentor doesn’t solve the problem for Barb, doesn’t criticize, doesn’t react hastily, and doesn’t "yakkity yak yak" about other things. The mentor does not provide advice when she is not qualified to do so.

  Check Your Answer Yourself

You have answered all 3 examples correctly. In the next activity, you will role play being a mentor yourself and practice helping your partner learn problem solving and goal setting skills.

This research is supported by Grant #H133G8004 from The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and no official endorsement should be inferred.