Understanding How Children Learn — and How to Help When They Struggle
Every child has the potential to learn. Yet for many, the classroom feels like a constant uphill battle — not because they lack intelligence, but because the specific cognitive abilities they need haven't yet been fully developed. The Structure of Intellect (SOI) learning model offers a powerful, evidence-informed way to understand, assess, and strengthen those abilities.
Struggling in school is rarely about effort or intelligence. Most children who find learning difficult are missing one or more of the foundational cognitive skills that underpin reading, writing, maths, and memory. Without these building blocks, even the most dedicated child can fall behind.
They Think Differently
Many children process information in ways that don't align with traditional teaching. Their abilities may be uneven — strong in some areas, underdeveloped in others.
Missing Building Blocks
Learning requires a complex set of cognitive skills working together. If one or more are weak — such as visual memory or auditory processing — the whole system is affected.
Often Misunderstood
Children who struggle are sometimes labelled as lazy, disruptive, or unmotivated. In reality, they are often working twice as hard as their peers just to keep up.
The Cognitive Abilities Every Learner Needs
The Structure of Intellect model, developed by Dr J.P. Guilford, identifies the key mental abilities that combine to make learning possible. Rather than a single measure of intelligence, SOI recognises that the mind operates across multiple, distinct — and teachable — dimensions.
Comprehension
The ability to understand and make sense of information — in text, spoken words, numbers, and concepts.
Memory
Holding, retaining, and recalling information — both in the short term and over time. Essential for all academic learning.
Problem Solving
Applying logic, reasoning, and flexible thinking to find answers — especially when the path isn't obvious.
Evaluation
Judging the quality, accuracy, and relevance of information — a higher-order thinking skill linked to critical reasoning.
Creativity
Generating original ideas and thinking divergently — the ability to see multiple solutions rather than a single answer.
The Brain, Vision, Hearing & Attention in Learning
Learning is not just a mental process — it is deeply rooted in how the brain receives and processes sensory information. The way a child sees, hears, and focuses directly shapes how well they learn.
Visual Processing
Many children struggle to track text, distinguish letter shapes, or hold visual information in mind. Poor visual processing can mimic dyslexia and is often overlooked in standard assessments.
Auditory Processing
Difficulty distinguishing sounds, following verbal instructions, or filtering background noise can severely impact reading, spelling, and classroom learning.
Attention & Focus
Sustained attention is a trained cognitive skill, not simply a personality trait. Children who appear inattentive may have an underlying processing difficulty that makes it physically harder to concentrate.
Brain-Body Connection
SOI recognises that cognition, sensory processing, and neurological development are interconnected — and that targeted training can strengthen these pathways over time.
How SOI Assessments Work
The SOI assessment provides a detailed, personalised picture of a child's cognitive profile — identifying both strengths to build upon and specific areas where development is needed. It replaces guesswork with clarity.
Referral & Intake
26-Ability Assessment
Profile Analysis
Personalised Plan
The assessment evaluates 26 distinct cognitive abilities across memory, comprehension, evaluation, creativity, and problem solving — mapped across visual, auditory, and symbolic domains. The result is a highly specific roadmap, not a general label. Families receive a clear, jargon-free report that explains what was found and what can be done.
Personalised Training That Develops Learning Abilities
Once a child's cognitive profile is established, a structured, personalised training programme is designed to directly develop the weaker abilities. This is not tutoring — it is brain training at the cognitive level, targeting the root causes rather than the symptoms.
🎯 Targeted Exercises
Activities are matched precisely to the child's identified gaps, ensuring every session builds the right skills.
📈 Progressive Development
Training progresses at the child's pace, building cognitive strength gradually through consistent, purposeful practice.
🏠 Home & School Friendly
Programmes can be completed at home or integrated into school routines, making them practical for busy families.
📊 Measurable Progress
Regular reassessment tracks cognitive growth over time, providing concrete evidence of development and informing next steps.
Important: SOI training does not replace specialist support — it works alongside speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and educational interventions to maximise impact.
Who Can the SOI Programme Help?
The SOI programme is designed to support a wide range of learners. Whether a child has a formal diagnosis or simply isn't reaching their potential, a cognitive assessment can reveal what's happening beneath the surface.
ADHD & Attention Difficulties
Children with ADHD often have specific cognitive processing gaps that make focus and working memory particularly challenging. SOI identifies these precisely and provides targeted strategies.
Autism Spectrum
Many autistic learners have uneven cognitive profiles — highly able in some areas, yet significantly challenged in others. SOI maps this profile clearly, supporting tailored educational planning.
Dyslexia & Learning Difficulties
Reading, writing, and maths difficulties often trace back to specific visual or auditory processing weaknesses. SOI gets to the root cause, enabling more effective and targeted intervention.
Underperforming & Gifted Learners
Some capable children underperform due to hidden cognitive gaps. Others are gifted but struggle socially or with specific tasks. Both groups benefit enormously from understanding their full profile.
The Impact of SOI: What Families and Schools Can Expect
When children receive the right support, targeted at the right cognitive abilities, the results can be transformative — not just academically, but in confidence, wellbeing, and engagement with learning.
26
Cognitive Abilities Assessed
A comprehensive map of how a child thinks, learns, and processes information.
100%
Personalised
Every training programme is built specifically around one child's unique cognitive profile.
40+
Years of Research
The SOI model is grounded in decades of validated cognitive science and educational research.
Families consistently report that receiving clear, specific information about their child's cognitive profile is itself a turning point — replacing frustration with understanding, and uncertainty with a clear path forward.
About Sarah-Jane McGarry & The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC
Who We Are
The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC is a Community Interest Company dedicated to improving outcomes for neurodivergent children, young people, and their families across the UK.
We believe every child deserves to be understood — not just diagnosed — and that with the right support, every learner can thrive.
Our Mission
To bridge the gap between assessment, understanding, and practical, everyday support — for families, schools, and professionals working together.
Sarah-Jane McGarry
Sarah-Jane is a dedicated advocate, practitioner, and founder of The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC. With extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and their families, she brings both professional expertise and genuine compassion to her work.
As a trained SOI practitioner, Sarah-Jane offers assessments, personalised training programmes, and ongoing support — working closely with families and schools to ensure children receive the understanding and intervention they need.
SOI-certified learning assessment practitioner
Specialist in autism, ADHD, and learning differences
Advocate for inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming education
Take the First Step Towards Understanding Your Child
If your child is struggling in school, has received a diagnosis, or simply isn't reaching their potential — an SOI assessment could be the clarity your family needs. Understanding how your child learns is the most powerful thing you can do to help them succeed.
01
Get in Touch
Contact The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC to discuss your child's needs and whether an SOI assessment is right for them.
02
Complete the Assessment
Your child completes a comprehensive, supportive cognitive assessment that maps their individual profile across 26 abilities.
03
Receive Your Report
You'll receive a clear, jargon-free report explaining your child's strengths, gaps, and a recommended pathway forward.
04
Begin the Journey
A personalised training programme begins — building the cognitive foundations your child needs to learn with confidence.
Contact us: Reach out to Sarah-Jane McGarry and The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC to learn more about SOI assessments and how we can support your child, school, or professional practice.