People with learning differences work hard. In fact, their brains are often working infinitely harder than those of peers without learning differences. In one study, students with dyslexia were reported to be using their brain five times harder than those without.
Why? Because the networks responsible for reading were not doing their jobs This makes the process inefficient and sometimes even impossible.
We can help.
Arrowsmith looks at Dyslexia differently >
Dyslexia is a known brain disorder and defined by the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders) as a “an alternative term used to refer to a pattern of learning difficulties characterized by problems with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor decoding and poor spelling abilities”.
Arrowsmith describes it like this: Dyslexia is a symptom of a range of weak cognitive functions. The functions impacted may include motor tracking of letters, visual memory of symbol patterns, memory for words, phonological awareness, conceptual understanding. When these functions are weak, essential skills such as reading (or writing, or mathematics) are difficult to acquire.
Dyslexia does not have to be permanent >
Now consider this: dyslexia is not a permanent condition. Our brains can change. Neuroplastic intervention can target and improve the specific cognitive functions that are at the core of those dyslexic symptoms.
How can Arrowsmith Program help?
Arrowsmith has been called the Most Innovative Special Education School by Sharp Brains. Why? Because Arrowsmith is not an academic program – it’s a capacity-based one. Meaning it enables individuals to transform their capacity to learn and fundamentally address issues like dyslexia.
Fact: Our brains can change. The science of neuroplasticity has revealed this. Arrowsmith relies on this premise to design exercises that target and strengthen the very cognitive functions that are at the core of dyslexia.
Fact: Everyone’s brain is different. To address each person’s dyslexia, we must first understand their cognitive profile, the combination and degree of the weak cognitive functions. This enables a truly individualized experience. One size does not fit all. In fact, many students at Arrowsmith engage in several different programs – each one targeted to each challenge/difficulty within their profile.
What does this mean for people with Dyslexia?
It means their brains can change, and in turn, struggles related to dyslexia can disappear. Research indicates that with stronger cognitive capacities in key networks, the brain doesn’t have to work as hard; it learns, understands, remembers and applies information efficiently. In addition to strengthening underlying functions of dyslexia, Arrowsmith has programs to target issues related to dyscalculia, dysgraphia, attention, executive function, nonverbal learning, and social and emotional intelligence.
Children with dyslexia do not need to suffer trying to make sense of the written word, spend years in remedial programming, develop avoidance tactics in school, or face limited academic or professional futures. The solution is to understand their unique, cognitive profile and then, transform it.
WATCH / About Arrowsmith >
