Brain School: Stories of Children with Learning Disabilities and Attention Disorders Who Changed Their Lives by Improving Their Cogn

by Howard Eaton

In Brain School, Howard Eaton explores how, applying the principles of neuroplasticity, Barbara Arrowsmith Young developed cognitive remediation exercises, founded the Arrowsmith Program and opened the first Arrowsmith School in Toronto, Ontario over 30 years ago. Mr. Eaton then discusses how difficult it was for him to move from traditional remediation methods for learning disabilities to seeing the new possibilities that are due to the ability of the brain to change itself. The lives of nine children are discussed as they start the Arrowsmith Program and then move on to either private or public schools.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2010

Reviews

[Alia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read about the Arrowsmith Program and the way it helps children with learning disabilities, the more I really want to find a way to incorporate it into my job. This program needs some more wide-spread awareness and greater inclusion in public schools.

[Boudillon Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A message of hope

This book carries a message of hope for children and adults with learning disabilities. Your brain and intelligence are not fixed, they can change. You can change.

This book is a collection of stories of change. I wish there was more information about the techniques and exercises themselves. Just so you know, they are not described in that book.

It's a great follow-up to the book that started it all: The Woman Who Changed her Brain, by Barbara Arrowsmith Young, who developed most of the strategies employed in the book. Start with this one.

Next on the list is: The Trailblazers: Spearheading Educational Change for Australian Children with Learning Difficulties Through the Canadian Arrowsmith Program, by same author, Howard Eaton.

[Amy Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST read for anyone who is in the field of Education. Excellent!!

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an AMAZING book!! Reading this book both saved and changed my daughter's life. Because of this book we enrolled her in an Arrowsmith school in VA. Before we started Arrowsmith my daughter was in a reading program for 4 years without much progress. One night at age 7 she said to me, "Mommy if they could give me the shot they give the animals at the shelter, I would take it. Because maybe if I came back to this life I could read." That statement scared us. And luckily we found this book and an Arrowsmith school. She is now in her second year of Arrowsmith and reading at grade level. Not only that, she reads chapter books for fun!! This book changed our entire family.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent supplement to Barbara Arrowsmith-Young's The Woman Who Changed Her Brain. Eaton also had severe learning disabilities and but managed to obtain a Master of Education degree through sheer persistence. He now operates private Arrowsmith schools in Vancouver and Victoria. In his book he describes several students' successful experiences with this method which he emphasizes are typical, not exceptional. Should be read by everyone involved with learning disabilities, educators, parents, family members and friends.

[Amberphlame · Rating 3 out of 5]

case studies only, leaves you wanting more information on the actual method.

[Kylie Payman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book fascinating and essential reading for people interested in or involved with the Arrowsmith program.