Cognitive abilities are brain skills needed to carry out simple to the complex tasks. These skills can be improved at any age with training.  Through J.P. Guilford's research we know, there are five operations of cognitive abilities using raw information:

• Comprehension-Attention, Awareness, Discovery & Recognition 
  

• Memory- Retention & Recall. (with all learning styles)
  

• Evaluation- Decision-making, Judgment & Comparison/Contrast
  

• Problem solving- Problem-solving, Logic and Rule-following
  

• Creativity- Using all information to solve a problem using "outside the box" methods
  

General cognitive efficiency depends upon sensory integration. In order for the brain to process cognitive information, that information must first reach the brain in an accurate manner. This is not possible when the various sensory systems are providing conflicting information.

• Crossing the Midline/Mentally Crossing Midline of the Body- Use of reference point in understanding orientation (plan and carry out sequence of movements or thoughts in proper order or following directions).
  

• Balance- Motor experience is the foundation of mental development (sitting still and focusing on instruction are effected)
  

• Body in Space- This is the ability to sense where our bodies are in space without using your eyes. ( Right/Left, directions, trouble with sports, and clumsiness are seen.
  

• Eye-Hand Coordination– How the vision system is working with the motor system (handwriting, drawing, and sports)
  

Perceptual Skills include Visual and Auditory Skills, which are essential for reading, comprehension, following directions, concentrating and many more. A few of the areas we screen and develop are:

• Board to Seat Work- The ability to see comfortably at reading distance and blackboard distance with accuracy. (Note taking, unfinished work, eye fatigue & Memory)
  

• Moving Across the Page- Pursuit, scanning ability (poor reading, comprehension, and short attention span)
  

• Targeting an Object- The ability to visually fixate with accuracy and consistently and without eye and body movement on an object. (if undeveloped, excessive rereading, also has difficulty following object while body is moving or not)
  

• Aiming at the Target- An assessment looking at the binocularity of both eyes.  Both eyes are checked to see if they are aimed at the same target. (slow reader, loses place, and possible double vision
  

• Eye Teaming- The ability of both eyes to work together. 
  

• Auditory Skills- Ability to hear the range of voice frequencies, skill of make auditory discriminations with accuracy, skill to process sequential auditory instructions and to focus auditorially with background sounds present.
  

Cognitive abilities are brain skills needed to carry out simple to the complex tasks. These skills can be improved at any age with training.  Tutoring goes over the same academic concepts and information again and again hoping it will stick this time. If cognitive skills are not developed the brain may memorize it for the test, but not truly understand and will not be able to use the concepts later in life. Odds are the information. Once our brain truly remembers, understands, manipulates and uses the information, it is ours for life. Drills in tutoring have their place and cognitive training exercises the brain's muscles to be able to use the information and apply it confidential and creatively.