The Arrowsmith Program is an in-class intervention designed to address the underlying causes of learning disabilities and academic difficulties by targeting and strengthening underdeveloped cognitive regions (learning dysfunctions). Exercises designed by Barbara Arrowsmith Young help students improve in areas where they are struggling the most, and the programme also provides ongoing training and support for teachers and remote monitoring of student progress.
People who have what is commonly referred to as "learning disabilities" (specific learning difficulties; SLD) can find help through the Arrowsmith Program. Individuals with SLD are typically of average or higher intelligence, but they struggle with one or more areas of the learning and academic skill acquisition process.
The Arrowsmith Program is designed to aid students with a wide variety of learning disabilities, including but not limited to: dyscalculia, dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory and/or visual processing disorders, non-verbal learning disabilities and attention difficulties.
Individuals who have not been diagnosed with a learning disability but who struggle with tasks like planning, problem-solving, communicating, remembering, and acting independently will also benefit from the program's structure and methods.
If you're looking for a grammar school that prioritises academic rigour and character development, you've found it. Contact us today to learn more about our program and secure a spot for your child.
What Is Autism?
Autism is also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), describes a group of conditions characterised by difficulties in social interaction, routine behaviour, language, and nonverbal communication. The CDC reports that 1 in every 54 American children currently suffers from autism.
Many different forms of autism have been identified, with genetic and environmental factors thought to play a role in the development of the majority of these variants. As a spectrum disorder, autism manifests in a wide range of symptoms and severity from person to person. People on the autism spectrum can acquire a wide variety of cognitive abilities, including the ability to think abstractly and solve complex problems. It's possible that some people with ASD will need a great deal of assistance in their daily lives, while others will require much less help or even be able to function completely independently.
Autism's emergence can be influenced by a number of factors; the disorder frequently coexists with sensory sensitivities, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, and sleep disorders, as well as mental health difficulties like anxiety, depression, and attention deficits.
Typically, autistic symptoms manifest between the ages of 2 and 3. Some of the associated developmental delays can show up as early as 12 months, and the disorder can usually be diagnosed by 18 months. According to studies, people with autism who receive help when they are young have better life outcomes overall.
What are the symptoms of autism?
An Autism Diagnosis Early indications of autism can appear at any age and can range in severity. There are certain infants who show signs in the first few months. While in others, the manifestation of the behaviour may not occur until the age of 2 or 3.
Children on the autism spectrum don't always exhibit every symptom. Even non-autistic children often exhibit some of these behaviours. For this reason, objective assessment by experts is essential.
Possible warning signs that your child has autism spectrum disorder include the following. If your child displays any of the following symptoms, you should contact your child's paediatrician or family doctor immediately.
By 6 months
- There are few, if any, big smiles or other warm, joyful, and engaging expressions.
- Limited or no eye contact
By 9 months
- There is little or no sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions.
By 12 months
- Little or no babbling
- There is little or no back-and-forth movement, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving.
- Little or no response to name
By 16 months
- Very few or no words
By 24 months
- Most meaningful two-word statements require imitation or repeating.
- Lost speech, babble, or social skills
- Avoiding eye contact
- Consistent desire for solitude
- Difficulty understanding the emotions of others
- Language development is being delayed.
- Word or phrase repetition (echolalia)
- Resistance to small routine or environment changes
- Restricted interests
- Repetitive behaviours (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)
- Extreme reactions to sounds, scents, tastes, textures, lighting, and colours
Can the Arrowsmith Program Treat Developmental or Intellectual Delays or Autism Spectrum Disorder?
The Arrowsmith Program was created for people who have learning challenges, sometimes known as special learning difficulties (SLD). Those with SLD are considered to have average or above-average intelligence but nonetheless struggle in one or more areas connected to learning or the development of academic skills. The program's creators and intended participants share an ordinary to high level of intelligence.
Students with developmental or intellectual delay have more extensive demands than those of a student with a specific learning disability since these conditions often reflect an impairment of overall intelligence and function.
Some people with Asperger's or high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who also struggle academically have found success with the Arrowsmith Program. The Arrowsmith Program will help these people meet their cognitive learning needs, but it won't do anything about the underlying aspects of their autism. A lot of thought goes into making admissions decisions in such circumstances to make sure everyone who enters is a good fit.
The ability of individual schools to admit kids with special needs that go beyond those addressed by the Arrowsmith Program, as well as their own admissions policies, is entirely up to the schools themselves. If you are interested in enrolling with any of these institutions, you should get in touch with them directly. If you would like to learn more about the schools that are currently utilising the Arrowsmith Program, please check out the Participating Schools page.
Is the Arrowsmith Program suitable for you or your child?
Students who enrol at Arrowsmith School typically face a variety of issues, including:
- reading
- writing
- comprehension
- Mathematics
- visual memory
- logical reasoning
- auditory memory
- Dyslexia
- auditory processing
- non-verbal learning
- attention
Parents and students are encouraged to peruse the Learning Difficulties Addressed document, which outlines the types of learning difficulties that can be helped by our programme.
The typical Arrowsmith School student
- is of average or above-average intelligence
- has a combination of the learning difficulties described in our website's and brochure's Descriptions of Learning Difficulties
- does not have severe intellectual, cognitive, emotional, or behavioural disorders that would make participation in the Arrowsmith Program impossible.
- does not have acquired brain injury or an autism spectrum disorder
- is of elementary, secondary or post-secondary school age
Many students will fit into these parameters, while others may need special treatment, and some will not be able to benefit from this curriculum at all.
We do not take children with severe autism, but we have had great success with students who have Asperger syndrome but are otherwise typically developing. Some experts classify Asperger Syndrome as a non-verbal learning impairment, while others regard it to be the same as high-functioning autism. There is no universal guideline, and we will confer with the student's parents to determine whether or not they are a good fit for our programme.
All students enrolling in our programme at any of the participating institutions should take these things into account.
What about Autism?
The Arrowsmith Program has been successful for some people with learning difficulties who also have Asperger's or high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Some experts classify Asperger Syndrome as a nonverbal learning impairment, while others consider it to be the same as high-functioning autism. Acceptance into the Arrowsmith Program is discretionary and determined in conjunction with the participating institution.
It's important to keep in mind that while the Arrowsmith Program will help these people with their cognitive learning needs, it won't help them with symptoms that are unique to Autism Spectrum Disorder. A lot of thought goes into making admissions decisions in such circumstances to make sure everyone who enters is a good fit.
Who is not suitable for the program? How do you determine suitability?
The Arrowsmith Program does not serve anyone who have any of the following medical issues. Therefore, the Arrowsmith Program is not suggested for these problems. Suitability is discussed between the family and the institution. A student's eligibility for enrolment and any additional requirements are subject to the specifics of each institution. You can't tell if someone is qualified just on their Arrowsmith score. Functionalities not covered by the Arrowsmith Project:
- Acquired Brain Injury - We have had some success in working with those who have suffered from acquired brain injury. Not knowing how much brain tissue was injured, or even what kind of tissue was damaged, is not the problem.
- Severe Intellectual or Cognitive Disorders (e.g. MID, Global Delay) - Due to deficits in grey-matter basic neuronal connections, these people's neuroplasticity is limited, making it difficult for them to participate in the programme.
- Autism Spectrum Disorders - Students with high-functioning autism (such as Asperger's) have been a group with which we've had some measure of success because we've been able to target underlying cognitive deficiencies. Autism and Asperger's are not mental disorders, so we will not be addressing them.
- Emotional or Behavioral Disorders - Disorders including oppositional defiance, aggression, and mental illness are typical instances. These factors have a direct bearing on the student's level of participation in the exercises and on how far they get in the activities. It is strongly recommended that anyone who are suffering from these conditions get help first, before ever considering joining the programme.
Students with developmental or intellectual delay have more extensive demands than those of a kid with a more targeted learning disability since these conditions often reflect an impairment of general intelligence and function.
The Arrowsmith Program has been successful for some people with learning disabilities who also have high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Asperger's. These students will be able to meet their cognitive learning demands with the help of the Arrowsmith Program, but the programme does not target symptoms of autism. Appropriateness is debated at length during the admissions process to make sure the applicant is a good fit.
FAQs About Arrowsmith Program
Since its inception 40 years ago, the Arrowsmith Program has applied the findings of neuroscientific studies to the goal of assisting students in improving their weak cognitive capacities, which are often at the root of a variety of learning difficulties. It is our intention to equip students with the tools they need to become independent, motivated, and capable of achieving their academic goals.
The Arrowsmith Program is designed to pinpoint and improve the underlying cognitive weaknesses that are at the root of learning disabilities, which in turn improves the student's ability to learn and acquire academic and social skills.
Each student's strengths and weaknesses in learning are identified through the Arrowsmith Program's comprehensive assessment; from there, a custom set of exercises is created to address those specific areas of struggle.
The capacity to learn and produce a written sequence of symbols is known as motor symbol sequencing. Children and adults with this dysfunction have trouble with basic cognitive tasks like writing the alphabet or counting in sequence, as well as more complex ones like articulating their thoughts in words.
Evidence that neuroplasticity can be realised across the lifespan is provided by the Arrowsmith Program's efficacy with students in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools as well as individuals into adulthood.
Conclusion
Students with a wide range of learning difficulties might receive support from the Arrowsmith Program. Barbara Arrowsmith Young's targeted practice drills help pupils strengthen their weakest areas. Teachers receive continual training and assistance, and student progress may be remotely monitored, thanks to this programme. Delays in development may become apparent as early as 12 months. If your kid exhibits any of the following signs, you should make an appointment with their paediatrician or family doctor.
People with learning difficulties, sometimes known as special learning difficulties, are the intended audience for the Arrowsmith Program (SLD). Students whose learning issues extend beyond those specifically addressed by the Arrowsmith Program can benefit from it. However, we have had a lot of success with kids who have Asperger's or high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some students who have autism spectrum disorder and have had trouble in the past have been able to overcome their difficulties with this curriculum. Participating institutions and Arrowsmith make the final decision on who is accepted into the programme.
Both the family and the organisation talk about whether or not the prospective student is suitable. While some professionals define Asperger Syndrome as a nonverbal learning disability, others view it as synonymous with high-functioning autism. Some people with learning difficulties and high-functioning ASD or Asperger's have found success with the Arrowsmith Program. Anyone experiencing these issues should get treatment before even thinking about enrolling in the training.
Content Summary
- The Arrowsmith Program is an in-class intervention designed to address the underlying causes of learning disabilities and academic difficulties by targeting and strengthening underdeveloped cognitive regions (learning dysfunctions).
- People who have what are commonly referred to as "learning disabilities" (specific learning difficulties; SLD) can find help through the Arrowsmith Program.
- People on the autism spectrum can acquire a wide variety of cognitive abilities, including the ability to think abstractly and solve complex problems.
- Typically, autistic symptoms manifest between the ages of 2 and 3.
- Some of the associated developmental delays can show up as early as 12 months, and the disorder can usually be diagnosed by 18 months.
- Possible warning signs that your child has autism spectrum disorder include the following.
- The Arrowsmith Program was created for people who have learning challenges, sometimes known as special learning difficulties (SLD).
- Some people with Asperger's or high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who also struggle academically have found success with the Arrowsmith Program.
- The Arrowsmith Program will help these people meet their cognitive learning needs, but it won't do anything about the underlying aspects of their autism.
- If you would like to learn more about the schools that are currently utilising the Arrowsmith Program, please check out the Participating Schools page.
- There is no universal guideline, and we will confer with the student's parents to determine whether or not they are a good fit for our programme.
- All students enrolling in our programme at any of the participating institutions should take these things into account.
- Some experts classify Asperger Syndrome as a nonverbal learning impairment, while others consider it to be the same as high-functioning autism.
- Acceptance into the Arrowsmith Program is discretionary and determined in conjunction with the participating institution.
- It's important to keep in mind that while the Arrowsmith Program will help these people with their cognitive learning needs, it won't help them with symptoms that are unique to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- The Arrowsmith Program does not serve anyone who has any of the following medical issues.
- Therefore, the Arrowsmith Program is not suggested for these problems.
- A student's eligibility for enrolment and any additional requirements are subject to the specifics of each institution.
- Students with high-functioning autism (such as Asperger's) have been a group with which we've had some measure of success because we've been able to target underlying cognitive deficiencies.
- Autism and Asperger's are not mental disorders, so we will not be addressing them.
- These factors have a direct bearing on the student's level of participation in the exercises and on how far they get in the activities.
- Students with developmental or intellectual delay have more extensive demands than those of a kid with a more targeted learning disability since these conditions often reflect an impairment of general intelligence and function.
- The Arrowsmith Program has been successful for some people with learning disabilities who also have high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Asperger's.
- These students will be able to meet their cognitive learning demands with the help of the Arrowsmith Program, but the programme does not target symptoms of autism.
- Appropriateness is debated at length during the admissions process to make sure the applicant is a good fit.
