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What are Cognitive Skills?

Cognitive skills are the underlying brain skills that make it possible for us to think, remember and learn. These are the skills that allows us to process the huge influx of information we receive each and every day, at school, at work and in life. 

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There are seven cognitive skills, each of which plays an important role in processing new information. Even if one of these skills is  weak, it can prevent your brain from fully grasping and processing incoming information. Most learning difficulties are caused by weakness in one or more of the seven cognitive skills.

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1. Long-Term Memory enables you to recall information stored in the past.

 

Signs of weak long-term memory include:

  • forgetting names 

  • performing poorly on tests

  • forgetting things you used to know.

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Long-Term Memory
working memory
Processing Speed
Auditory Processing
Logic & Reasoning
Visual Processing

2. Working Memory enables you to retain information while making using of the information. 

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Signs of weak working memory include: 

  • repeatedly reading instructions or directions during a relatively basic task 

  • difficulty in following multi-step directions forgetting what was just said in a conversation

3. Logic & Reasoning  enables you to perform logical deductions, form ideas and solve problems.

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Signs of weak logic and reasoning capabilities include: 

  • frequently asking “what do I do next?” or “I don’t understand this?” 

  • struggling with mathematics

  • generally feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

Attention

4. Auditory Processing enables you to analyze, blend, and segment sounds.

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Signs of weak auditory processing include: 

  • struggling with learning to read

  • weak reading fluency

  • weak reading comprehension.

5. Visual Processing enables you to think in visual images.

Signs of weak visual processing include: 

  • difficulty understanding what you have just read

  • struggling to remember what you have read

  • difficulty following directions, reading maps and doing word mathematics problems.

6. Processing Speed enables you to perform tasks quickly and accurately.

Signs of slow processing speed include: 

  • most tasks are more difficult

  • Taking a long time to complete tasks for school or work frequently being the last one in a group to finish something

7. Attention: Attention can be categorized as follows:

  • Sustained Attention enables you to stay focused and on task for a sustained period of time. 

  • Selective Attention enables you to stay focused and on task despite distractions.

  • Divided Attention enables you to remember information while doing two things at once. 

 

Signs of low attention levels include: 

  • lots of unfinished projects

  • jumping from task to task

  • easily distracted

  • difficulty multitasking

  • frequent mistakes.

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