'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

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Another book written on the subject of cognitive remediation exercises is Brain School: Stories of children with learning disabilities and attention disorders who changed their lives by improving their cognitive functioning by Howard Eaton. As the name would suggest, the book follows nine real case studies of children as their neurological functioning improves. In the book, Eaton draws upon his own experience and knowledge gained since starting the Eaton Arrowsmith School in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in January 2005…

…9. Why doesn’t Eaton Arrowsmith School also teach Science and Social Studies? Why just Math and English?
It is important to realize that Eaton Arrowsmith School and the Arrowsmith School in Toronto are the only facilities that have a full day Arrowsmith Program. The students spend 75% of the day working on the Arrowsmith Program and then do Math and English for the other 25%. In all other cases the Arrowsmith Program is incorporated into only 50% of the student’s academic day. For example, this is what is taking place at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Thus, the Arrowsmith Program can be implemented with more academics. Though, it is important to realize that at a certain time in a student’s education it is more effective to first address their cognitive functioning weaknesses. This will give the student with learning disabilities time to develop the cognitive capacities to understand more effectively the Science or Social Studies curriculum. This would be the same for a Math or English curriculum. Too often children with learning disabilities are trying to learn material that they cannot conceptualize. They do not have the cognitive functions that make it neurologically effective to understand a specific curriculum. Thus, they are just trying to remember information rather than understand it. At Eaton Arrowsmith School the students are focused on improving the cognitive functions necessary to find success in all the academic subjects. As a result, our data is showing that when students leave the full-time Arrowsmith Program at Eaton Arrowsmith School they are transitioning well into these academic subjects…

The Eaton Cognitive Improvement Centre (ECIC) also in Vancouver follows the Arrowsmith Program but is specifically targeted at young adults rather than school-age children…

Students, typically ages 18-30, come to ECIC with varied needs and goals. Some are preparing for the GED or plan to work on completing their high school through working towards a Dogwood Diploma. Others are in transition from high school to post-secondary, while still others are preparing for new employment opportunities.

(sources: Q and A with Howard Eaton | Eaton Arrowsmith School; Eaton Cognitive Improvement Centre | Unlocking Neurological Potential)