CORESENSES FAQS

How do I know that the program will work in my situation?

---

Over the past 40 years, we have achieved results with people who tell us they have difficulty with their learning in the following areas:

• Reading
• Mathematics
• Logical Reasoning
• Visual Memory
• Writing
• Comprehension
• Executive Function
• Auditory Memory
• Dyslexia
• Auditory Processing
• Attention

---

What evidence is there that it works?

---

A number of international academic studies over the past several years have concluded that the Arrowsmith Program is effective in improving the brain’s cognitive ability.

The latest research, carried out by Canada’s University of British Columbia (UBC), into the Arrowsmith Program has shown children with specific learning difficulties demonstrate significant improvements by training their brains using neuroplasticity techniques.

The peer reviewed research, published late last year (October 2019) in the international journal, Learning: Research and Practice, examined the Arrowsmith Program and its capacity to help children with learning difficulties improve academic skills and cognitive abilities including reading, maths, spelling, memory, attention, processing speed and reasoning.

You can find more information about other research here:

https://arrowsmithschool.org/research/

---

How does the program fit in with school/work?

---

The program is designed to be tailored to suit both school and work schedules.

Each student works on their Individualised Learning Program which is developed after an initial assessment. These individual learning programs can vary from 1 to 6 exercises a week.

Each exercise requires a minimum of 4 hours face to face tuition.

Full time programs (4 – 6 exercises)
Part Time Programs (1 – 3 exercises)
Motor Symbol Sequencing (MSS) cognitive program (primarily an at-home program (1 hour per day) with weekly check-in sessions)
Symbol Relations Cognitive Enhancement Program
Full Initial Arrowsmith Program Assessment

---

When will I see results?

---

Each student is an individual with specific challenges and as such their progress will vary. However it is usually those close to the student who notice changes first.

Typically they will notice the student seems more confident and their engagement with others is improved. Over time the student will notice changes in their own performance.

An assessment is conducted at the end of each year and we also provide feedback to the student and to parents (where applicable) throughout the year. When each student reaches a Mastery we believe it’s cause for celebration, not only for the student but the whole class. Because we have small classes the students are very supportive of one another and we encourage this through rewards and acknowledgement of their progress.

---

What is your ultimate goal through your work with the Arrowsmith Program?

---

I would like to see cognitive programs be a part of every child’s educational program in school so that school is a place that children come not just to learn content, but to work their brains, to improve their capacity to learn and to carry this with them throughout life.

---

How does the Arrowsmith Program differ from conventional approaches to working with learning difficulties?

---

The Arrowsmith Program is not teaching content, but changing the brain of the learner so that it can register, absorb, retain, process and use the content in the acquisition of academic, social and vocational skills. Emotional well-being is paramount in order to live a happy and meaningful life. Our students leave proud of who they are and ready to accept the challenges ahead.

---

Is the Arrowsmith Program supported by research?

---

The concept of neuroplasticity is widely accepted. There is so much research demonstrating that the brain can change throughout our lifetime that the concept of the ‘changeable brain’ is irrefutable. Brain imaging studies are currently being conducted at two universities to measure the cognitive benefit of the Arrowsmith Program for students with specific learning difficulties. Research
Is being conducted by different researchers, using different research designs and different measures - academic, cognitive, social emotional and imaging - and studying students in different schools implementing the Arrowsmith Program. Ongoing research is demonstrating that the program not only changes the brain, cognitive functioning, and academic achievement but also leads to social-emotional well-being. A global research collaboration has formed to further research investigations into the outcomes of students in the Arrowsmith Program. Arrowsmith’s vision is to create a research institute to further these investigations in the fields of learning disabilities, cognitive enhancement, education and acquired brain injury. For more information on the research, please visit the Research webpage: https://arrowsmithschool.org/research/

---

Are the gains made in the Arrowsmith Program permanent?

---

We have tracked the progress of people who completed their program of cognitive exercises over 35 years ago, and the gains they achieved from the cognitive stimulation of the exercises remain. Once the cognitive capacities are in place, the individual begins to use these gains on a daily basis, providing ongoing exercise. In other words, once the brain is changed, it remains changed - as long as the gains continue to be used in the course of everyday functioning.

---