G’s Checklist Hub and Clarity Guides ©
A Place of Discover, Answers and Hope
The Checklist and Clarity Guide was created by me to address an important gap by helping parents understand that struggles often stem from cognitive differences rather than willfulness or laziness. — Rhonda Austin, M.Ed.
What is the CHC Theory?
CHC stands for Cattell–Horn–Carroll, the psychologists who developed the most widely accepted model of how we think and learn. If your child has had cognitive testing, it was likely based on CHC theory, even if you weren't told.
This model organizes thinking into broad cognitive abilities, which we call the Ten Gs. Each G is a mental toolbox. Some are large and foundational. Others are specialized for specific tasks. When a general intelligence (G) is strong, it can support a wide range of cognitive tasks. When one is weak, it may leak, jam up, or become overloaded.
There are 10 Broad Cognitive abilities in CHC Theory.
Gc (Comprehension Knowledge)
Gf (Fluid Reasoning)
Gsm (Short-Term Memory)
Gs (Processing Speed)
Ga (Phonological Processing)
Glr (Long-Term Retrieval)
Gv (Visual-Spatial Thinking)
Grw (Reading/Writing)
Gq (Quantitative Knowledge)
EF (Executive Functioning)
Each G represents a different kind of mental resource. Some carry the load daily. Others break down under pressure. When one’s weak, learning tends to leak. When one’s strong, it becomes a tool for thriving.
Why the Abbreviations?
Each cognitive area in CHC theory starts with the letter G, which stands for general. The letters that follow—like c for Comprehension or f for Fluid Reasoning—identify the specific kind of thinking being measured.
So when you see something like Gc or Gf, it’s just a shorthand used by psychologists and evaluators. We keep the abbreviations in this guide because they’re the same ones used in formal cognitive reports. That way, if you ever look at testing results—or talk to a school team—you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about.
THE LEAKY BUCKET CHECK™
A TOOL TO EXPLAIN YOUR BRAIN'S BUCKETS & BARRELS
Welcome!
This checklist is your first step toward creating a personalized map of the brain’s buckets and barrels. It works for both you and your child.
Your honest answers will give a clear picture of strengths and leaks. This isn’t about flaws. It’s about building your best brain toolkit for success—whether for yourself or your child.
· If you’re filling it out for yourself, answer based on your own daily life—at home, work, school, or anywhere you notice patterns.
· If you’re filling it out for your child, answer based on what you observe—during chores, homework, play, sports, or school.
How It Works
This checklist has 90 questions designed to provide a complete picture of a brain’s cognitive profile. You don’t need to finish all at once. Save and return anytime.
Read each statement carefully and rate how often the challenge happens. The questions will jump between topics on purpose so you can focus on each one individually.
Choose the rating that fits best:
•Always (Red): Happens almost every time (90–100%)
•Often (Orange): Happens frequently (70–80%)
•Sometimes (Yellow): Happens occasionally (40–60%)
•Rarely (Blue): Happens infrequently (10–30%)
•Never (Green): Happens almost never (0–10%)
Buckets & Barrels™ is a clear, observation-based checklist that can be used in everyday settings. It helps uncover why certain tasks feel harder than they should and what may be driving someone’s behavior. By translating real-life patterns into meaningful insight, it gives a practical way to understand challenges, not just in ourselves but in others.
My goal is simple: to make life easier, to stop or reduce the tears and struggles, once we understand how our brains actually work.
After You Finish
Once you've answered all the questions, the system will automatically score your results. You will then be guided to the next steps and resources that are right for you. You’ll get personalized results and next steps—so let’s get started.”