The Arrowsmith Program is a cognitive training program designed to help people with learning difficulties by strengthening weak cognitive functions. It was created by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, who experienced many difficulties with learning throughout her life. The Arrowsmith Program is based on neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to change itself.
How It Works
Instead of teaching strategies to work around learning difficulties, the program targets and strengthens specific cognitive weaknesses through intensive mental exercises.
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Assessment – Students take an in-depth cognitive assessment to identify weak areas in their learning abilities.
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Personalized Training Plan – Based on the assessment, each student gets a customized set of exercises designed to stimulate and strengthen the weak areas.
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Cognitive Exercises – Students regularly work on specific mental tasks.
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Progress Tracking – Over time, as neural pathways strengthen, students develop stronger cognitive skills, which helps improve their ability to learn, read, write, and retain information.
Scientific Principles Behind Arrowsmith
The science behind the Arrowsmith Program is rooted in neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. The program is based on the idea that targeted cognitive exercises can strengthen weak brain functions, leading to improved learning abilities.
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Neuroplasticity
- The brain is not fixed; it can adapt and develop new neural pathways in response to stimulation.
- The Arrowsmith Program's exercises are designed to stimulate specific areas of the brain, much like physical therapy for a weak muscle.
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Targeting Specific Cognitive Functions
- The Arrowsmith Program identifies and strengthens weak cognitive functions through repeated, intensive exercises.
- Arrowsmith focuses on 19 cognitive areas that impact learning.
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Intensity and Repetition for Lasting Changes
- Exercises in the Arrowsmith Program require high levels of concentration and repetition, which is believed to rewire the brain over time.
- Frequent repetition of tasks strengthens brain pathways.
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Studies on Cognitive Training & Learning Disabilities
- Studies on working memory training and reading interventions suggest that targeted cognitive exercises can improve brain function and lead to better academic performance.
- The Arrowsmith program has conducted its own research, showing improvements in processing speed, reasoning, and academic skills among students.
How does Arrowsmith help my brain?
Who It Helps
The Arrowsmith program is for anyone with a learning disability (like dyslexia, ADHD or processing disorders) or for those who want to improve cognitive function.
Where It's Offered
Arrowsmith is available in schools, learning centers, and online programs across different countries. Teen Challenge Tasmania, in Launceston, runs the Arrowsmith Program. We are called Brain School Tasmania.
Research
Since 1997 there have been more than 20 research studies involving some 700 students across six universities and nineteen different educational organizations, all evaluating the effectiveness of the Arrowsmith Program. Five of these studies have had control groups and eleven have been peer reviewed. There are another four research projects currently underway at three universities.
The below documents provide information of all these studies and the research findings.
Arrowsmith testimonials
Millie
Before I came to Arrowsmith last year I could not write, I could not spell - my spelling was terrible and I couldn’t spell basic words - and my reading was a jumble. I did not have a lot of confidence in learning, and I was very messy, unorganized and found it difficult to concentrate.
Tony
He felt like he was being heard. And so, he also began to be more confident as he worked through the Arrowsmith Program. He began to develop this growth mindset, and he became more confident in his abilities. Now he's willing to try more challenging tasks, but one of the greatest achievements he's had this year is he was inducted into the National Beta Club, which is awesome not only because he is maintaining an A and B average, but he's doing the work himself.
Rachel
When I got Emma's psychoeducational report, I found it to be a very disappointing document. It was helpful in terms of identifying the problem, it was not helpful in terms of identifying any recommendations or any solutions. I was basically told, ‘This is your child, this is her learning profile. It's fixed. There's nothing that can be done to change that. And here are the accommodations that you need to put into place in order for her to be able to manage the school system’.