Frequently Asked Questions
What is Structure of Intellect (SOI)?
SOI is a 2-part approach that involves an initial assessment followed by an individualized training program that enhances the person's ability to be successful in any area of life. It gives valuable information about the brain, learning style, and how to further develop cognitive abilities.
Successful learning requires certain abilities – comprehension, problem-solving, evaluation, memory, visual perception, sensory integration and creativity. SOI seeks to enhance these abilities so that the student can increase performance not just in the classroom, but in all areas of life! SOI Systems.com
Who should take the SOI Cognitive Ability Assessment?
Gifted students
Near-gifted, average students
Learning-disabled students
High school students
College students
Adults
In other words, anybody looking to enhance their life skills and learning abilities!
What does the SOI Assessment test for?
These tests are not tests of achievement, knowledge or how much a student learned and retained in school. Instead, the SOI test is diagnostic and leads directly to a treatment plan. The student's cognitive strengths and weaknesses are fully outlined in their test results. The analysis identifies the student's learning style - figural, symbolic, or semantic, and produces a profile in the areas of comprehension, problem solving, evaluation, memory, visual perception, sensory integration and creativity. Through this detailed profile, a Personalized Learning Plan is developed and education therapy can be initiated.
What is an SOI Form L Assessment?
The Form L Assessment is for children 4-9 years of age. There are eleven learning abilities that are assessed in the areas of cognition, creativity, problem solving, memory, problem solving, memory and evaluation. It is recommended that a child be able to read prior to taking this assessment, but not required.
What is an SOI CR Assessment?
The Form CR is appropriate for grades 3 to adult. Twenty-six abilities are tested in the areas of cognition, creativity, problem solving, memory, and evaluation. A gifted screening portion is also available.
What makes Structure of Intellect unique?
SOI training materials are designed specifically to teach one learning ability at a time to optimize learning and cognitive growth. SOI defines learning disabilities as a lack of learning abilities. The focus is on developing learning skills that help form the foundation for academic learning. In other words, the student learns how to learn!
Who benefits?
Children who want to understand their gifts and what intelligences can still be developed
Parents who want to see improved test scores and better grades
High school and college students who want to identify their strong areas for job and career possibilities
Communities that would like to see safer, better schools
Corporations that are looking to enhance employee creativity, analytical skills, and productivity
Current employees who want to enhance their self-esteem, performance and cognitive abilities
Government agencies
Job placement programs
Therapy programs
Local court systems/mandated programs
What happens at the consultation session?
The SOI assessment is reviewed and analyzed with the participant and their family. Then, the results are shared about what abilities the student possesses and what abilities can still be developed. Vision, auditory, and sensory motor integration will also be analyzed and a Personalized Learning Plan will be developed to help the student connect their body, mind, and heart so they can become successful, lifelong learners.
What is Cognitive Ability Training (or Brain Training)?
The SOI assessment is reviewed and analyzed with the participant and their family. Then, the results are shared about what abilities the student possesses and what abilities can still be developed. Vision, auditory, and sensory motor integration will also be analyzed and a Personalized Learning Plan will be developed to help the student connect their body, mind, and heart so they can become successful, lifelong learners.
Why does my child need Cognitive Ability Training?
Our brain training program (SOI) assesses 26 Cognitive Abilities. If any of these abilities are not developed or are below average, children will struggle to learn in a typical classroom setting. Cognitive Ability Training helps to develop and strengthen the cognitive functioning of the brain.
What is the difference between Cognitive Ability Training and Tutoring?
Tutoring usually has to do with specific school content and curriculum, while cognitive ability training is specific and identified by the SOI Assessment. It helps a student understand their brain and their learning style and develop cognitive abilities such as comprehension, memory, higher level thinking, and creativity to become successful lifelong learners.
What is the time commitment?
We recommend students attend either two 90 minute sessions per week or three 45 minute sessions per week. Continuous, ongoing development is essential when it comes to achieving results within the program.
What is Integrated Practice Protocol (IPP)?
The IPP program addresses the cause(s) of the learning difficulty. It works to improve attention span, memory, comparison and contrast thinking, eye-hand coordination, systems reasoning, and other skills essential to the learning process. This helps students perform better in school, in sports and extracurricular activities, and socially.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to what is going on in the present moment and getting curious about it, rather than getting stuck in the past or the future. This is a practice that allows a person to pay attention to their mind, body and emotions and improve their overall wellness.
Why Trauma Informed Yoga?
According to YogaFit, exposure to trauma, abuse, or neglect is the number one unaddressed physical and health concern in the world. Trauma Informed Yoga is a practice that allows one to be aware of their emotions in their bodies and gives them healthy tools such as asanas, pranayama, mindfulness, meditation, visualization, and tapping. These tools help to connect the mind and body in healthy ways so that the person feels safer in their bodies and more in control of their own physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
What is Meditation?
Meditation helps clear the mind and allows one to be in touch with their emotions, body, and brain. It helps the individual leave their regular thinking brain and feel what is going inside their body, thus creating the ability to emotionally self-regulate.
What is Visualization?
Visualization helps a person leave their current state of being, allowing them to calm the central nervous system. It is peaceful and relaxing and can help regain focus on the present moment and reconnect with all of the senses.
What is Tapping?
Tapping is a tool that calms the nervous system and helps identify feelings as they come up. It is a practice that can be used to move through stages of emotion and promote a healthy mind/body connection
Does my child need the physical component of your program?
If any of the following describe your child, then the physical component of our program would be beneficial for your child.
- Has difficulty paying attention
- Can’t sit still
- Anxious
- Has difficulty focusing
- Wanders around the classroom
- Has a lack of concentration
- Has poor posture
- Trouble reading/tracking across the page
- Clumsy
- Unaware of body in space
Does my child need the mindfulness component?
Mindfulness is the cornerstone in all that we do. Once children are aware of the connection of their minds, bodies, and hearts they will be more successful learners. Mindfulness lets us focus on the present moment, forget the past and not worry about the future.
What does a 90 minute Learning and Discovery Session look like?
A 90 minute session will combine the practices of mindfulness, trauma informed yoga, SOI modules, and/or IPP Lab/Print exercises. Each child will be working individually with a practitioner to develop their intellectual, physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being.
How soon will I see results of the program?
Expect to see changes within the first 2-3 months. Parents should look for an increase in confidence and overall wellness. Every child is unique in the development of their cognitive abilities, sensory integration, and visual and auditory processing. If a student will commit to spending 20 minutes each day on their customized plan, then results will be evident!