Unleashing children’s potential: An evidence-based narrative review of strategies to enhance cognitive function and intelligence in school-age children

Table 11 Strength-based and compensatory approaches for learning disabilities and neurodiverse profiles

Learning disabilities type	Core challenge	Strengths leveraged	Compensatory strategies
Dyslexia	Phonological processing deficits: Slow or inaccurate decoding	Visual-spatial reasoning; narrative and oral language skills; creative thinking	Text-to-speech software; audiobooks; multisensory reading instruction; extended time
Dyscalculia	Numerical magnitude processing; arithmetic fluency	Verbal reasoning; conceptual understanding; real-world problem solving	Visual representations; manipulatives; calculator use; stepwise problem scaffolding
Written expression disorder (dysgraphia)	Handwriting, spelling, and written organization	Verbal expression; oral reasoning; idea generation	Speech-to-text tools; graphic organizers; reduced handwriting demands
Nonverbal learning differences	Visual-spatial processing; social perception	Strong verbal memory; rule-based learning; factual knowledge	Explicit social instruction; visual scaffolds; structured routines
Auditory processing differences	Speech discrimination in noise; auditory memory	Visual learning; pattern recognition	Visual aids, written instructions, and preferential classroom seating
Attention-related learning profiles	Sustained attention; organization	Hyperfocus on areas of interest; creativity	Task chunking; external organizational supports; movement-based learning
Autism-associated learning profiles	Cognitive rigidity; pragmatic language differences	Systematic thinking, detail orientation, and strong memory	Predictable routines; visual schedules; assistive communication tools

Effective cognitive enhancement in learning disabilities emphasizes access, adaptation, and agency, allowing children to demonstrate higher-order thinking without being constrained by persistent processing differences.