View our testimonials below from students, educators, and families that have experienced Arrowsmith.
Before Arrowsmith, my brain was like a bunch of lifeboats at sea, and now some of them have made it to land.
I have seen many improvements since I have started the Arrowsmith Program. I have seen improvements in my writing skills like neatness and tidiness!
Before I came to Arrowsmith I couldn’t read social situations very well and now I can tell what people are feeling just by walking into a room.
So far this has been one of the most positives experiences in (my daughter’s) life.
Arrowsmith has been life changing. Before coming to Arrowsmith I had difficulty reading and I was a university student struggling to do my work..
When I was a kid I always wondered: why do planes fly, what is space and why are we here, what is it like to fly.
Things were rough and hard before Arrowsmith. I was just not good at school. I’d always get bad grades
I have come a long way and made massive progress in the area of reasoning. Back in May I struggled greatly with learning concepts.
Now that I am in the Arrowsmith Program, I feel that now I can have a family after high school, go to college or university.
For many of us, enrolling our children in the Arrowsmith program was a leap of faith. I’ll admit as the parent of the eldest Arrowsmith student (8th grade), I had many hopes and invested in this program.
In math class, I can copy the board writing on my paper without looking at the paper.
Because Kory’s ability to express himself has improved his interaction with everyone, this has made him more self confident.
This poem is a winner from a city-wide poetry competition, written about how this student was helped by Arrowsmith:
I have seen improvements in my attitude towards things. My behavior at home has also changed.
One of the drawbacks I have faced in life is the “wall syndrome”; when you come to a wall, you stop and don’t get to the other side, at least for a long time or until adrenaline panic push somehow gets you over or through or around the wall.
I’ve seen a lot of improvements while I’m in Arrowsmith. Some of the improvements that I’ve noticed are that I’m understanding more.
Thank you so much for your time and your commitment to making Arrowsmith accessible to so many kids and adults.
I am writing this 2 Years after Arrowsmith School. I am naturally inquisitive and have always been intrigued by the learning process and the pursuit of knowledge.
I have made lots of progress. In science I am finishing all my work in that class.
I learned of the Arrowsmith Program from Norman Doidge’s book, “The Brain That Changes Itself.”
Since Max has finished the Cognitive Intensive Program (CIP) a year ago we have noticed multiple positive changes in him.
The Arrowsmith program has allowed me to dream big, and there are a couple of things that are my dreams like my career or my future school or getting better at every day stuff, like homework.
I have seen improvements in Math. I have gone from the girl who would sit in the back of the class and after almost every sentence ask my teacher a question because I couldn’t do the work or understand it
My name is Ada and I am in Grade six and go to the Arrowsmith program. Arrowsmith changed my life and here are a few things I want to share with you.
Although only 2 months into our Arrowsmith experience, my wife and I could not be more pleased.
I am so so happy that I am in Arrowsmith because it has really, really helped me tons! I can now do a lot of things that I was never able to do before.
I just want to touch base with you to let you know how well Taner is doing. He is really enjoying his high school, it seems to be a great fit for him.
Arrowsmith has proven to be a vital and integral program at our school.
I’ve been impressed by, and grateful for, the many benefits of the Arrowsmith program (and its wonderful teachers).
Christopher’s school work has improved considerably and he understands how to solve problems when he is working on a project.
I dream on becoming a zoologist when I grow up. In order to become a zoologist I need a college degree, and before I came to Arrowsmith it felt so hard for me to make good grades in school where it felt impossible for me to get accepted into University and pass my final exams.
After only one year, she has already completely come out of her shell and is now doing things we did not ever thing would be possible.
Jonah is starting to show his true strengths where before they were locked in his head.
Arrowsmith is helping me a lot. I like it. My brain is really being sharpened.
My son Seth has been in the Arrowsmith Program for a year and a half now. To watch him eliminate his classification as Learning Disabled has been astonishing.
Our daughter’s reading has improved immensely mainly due to a huge improvement in working memory.
I’ve been impressed by, and grateful for, the many benefits of the Arrowsmith program (and its wonderful teachers).
Very slowly I’m starting to remember contexts of conversations, things that have happened to me in chronological order and feel less stressed remembering events.
As an educator of 22 years, I have had the opportunity to teach in Canada and the United States.
Arrowsmith has been a game-changer for our son, who in year 8 was struggling to stay in school, let alone thrive.
Through doing “R” think my ability to interpret my own emotions more accurately has improved as well as my ability to regulate them.
Chris’ grade level has gone up and his most recent grade scores would suggest progress is clearly evident.
What I dream about is the competence to keep a job. To remember the instructions given to me for more than five minutes one needs a life to live and grow.
I have noticed a lot of positive improvement in my cognitive abilities. My writing is a much more pleasant experience.
I don't always feel as if I'm behind a glass, asking people to interpret the world for me..
Jaron has an auditory processing disability. When I used to give him directions to do something, he would then look at me and say- “wait…What?” It was very hard for him to process the directions, especially for multi- tasks.
Within the first 3 weeks, we noticed that Sarah was able to count by 2’s and actually told us that she had to do her counting.
I believe that I am able to remember details of information more clearly. I also seem to make faster decisions in some circumstances.
My son, Jarek, has just completed his first year at Arrowsmith School and I write to express my immense gratitude for offering not just hope for children with learning disabilities academically, but the opportunity to prove to themselves they are invaluable members of their families, schools and communities.
I thought I should also let you know about the kinds of progress we have seen in Benji in the three-month period since he began Eaton Arrowsmith.
Michael has more confidence to try doing his schoolwork on his own and gets really excited when work he has done is done well and gets a good grade.
At the age of 34, I began to research treatment options for my non-verbal learning disability and I want to talk about why I began this process as an adult, and what I’ve discovered.
Over the last several months at Arrowsmith, we have seen Brandon blossom…
(My son) has admitted to me himself that (the Arrowsmith Program) has changed him.
I want to update you on William’s progress since completing his program at Arrowsmith. William graduated from Grade 12 having made the Honour Roll for his final three years.
I’ve noticed a few changes since the start of the year. One of the nicest changes was that when my sister was home over the holidays, we hardly fought at all.
When my daughter was in 4th grade, her class had weekly timed multiplication tests, 50 questions in two minutes.
Our son needed extra help and attention since he was a little boy. He was very easily distracted, didn’t follow instructions, was clumsy and many times inattentive.
It was in my 18th year that things began to change for me. Looking back, I can only describe my life to that date as existence, struggling along trying to survive in what was for me a continuously confusing world.
It has been over 3 years since I met you for the first time, with my son, Sam. At that time, I didn’t know where to turn for help for him.
Since doing the Arrowsmith program, I’ve observed a significant increase in the complexity in my son’s speech patterns and expressions.
This program has had so many profound effects on my education and daily life.
I very much wish I could tell all of this to you in person. But at this moment my family and I are currently all the way in Michigan.
To be honest, without Arrowsmith, high school would have felt impossible to do…
My name is Kim and I am 36 years old. I had a great experience with the Arrowsmith Program, which I attended as an adult.
Our child has been designated Gifted-LD in the school system. There are certain things that our child has never had difficulty with because of our child’s strengths.
I wanted to let you know about some of the progress I have noticed with my resource room students who are also enrolled in the Arrowsmith program.
Thank you for inventing all of the brain exercises, they are helping me with so much. I can write faster and I can do more math in my head.
Scott has made more progress in this year than in any other year!
I just spent three visits with Paul while he was home for spring break (March).
My daughter is more confident, has a better memory, and passed English with a good solid C.
After Arrowsmith, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I might be a paramedic, an accountant, or even a lawyer.
It has been my intention to send you and the school St. Theresa’s a formal thank you for your dedication and help to our family and more so for our son Jackson.
Amanda, age 9, struggled in many areas in particular Math.
I have seen improvement in my reading, writing, Math, English, friendships, understanding and remembering where I put my stuff.
My name is Aiden. I am in grade 7 and in my second year of Arrowsmith. I’m going to tell you a bit about my journey with school so far.
We heard of the Cognitive Intensive Program through the Arrowsmith Program newsletter, and suddenly found ourselves planning a six-week trip to Toronto.
I’ve seen a whole lot of changes from school, but by far, the biggest change I think I’ve noticed is something most people take for granted: confidence.
We have noticed the following changes and improvements in Heidi since she started Arrowsmith
Over the past few years, I have shared with you some or all of our families’ journey with Zack’s learning disability, and I wanted to share some exciting news.
At the moment, the things that are much closer to now that I really want to do first and foremost is graduating high school.
When I brought Liam up to Toronto in July for the Intensive Summer Program, I thought that Liam would benefit from the program.
I have had a wonderful opportunity to offer my students a fantastic program. For the past nine years, I have delivered the Arrowsmith program at St. Theresa Shrine School.
Jennifer successfully completed high school and started her first year of College in September of 1992. She continued to improve in her academic endeavors.
There is a very noticeable change in Richard’s development.
I have improved in my listening skills and my hearing what everyone has to say. This program should have a permanent place in the school system because it helps many students with their disabilities.
It has helped in math. Before she couldn’t concentrate and understand math.
My advice for older people like myself who want to keep their brain functioning in the best possible way despite the natural aging process is definitely to try the Arrowsmith Program.
I don’t want to be the same person anymore. I want to do remarkable things or be noticed for anything respectful or loving.
When I was about 11, I wanted to be a teacher, but then I remembered that my multiplication was terrible.
I thought I would give you a little update of Gordon’s transition to Senior School. We enrolled Gordon at a public school that only caters to Year 11 and 12.
As I started out at Arrowsmith I had no clue what to expect. It was nerve wracking just thinking about it, yet exciting.
I feel honoured and privileged to have this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and gratitude towards Arrowsmith and to be able to explain to you a little bit about what the gifts this program has thus far given my 10 year old son.
The Arrowsmith Program helped me in a big way because now as I get older I can accomplish things and dare to dream.
Carson has shown a great deal of improvement in schoolwork and at home.
The Arrowsmith program made me dream again because now the things I can do are endless. I could be a CEO of a company or I can get a PHD in robotics because I can read and write and understand things I could not before.
I have improved in reading, writing more, remembering is easier. I can focus more than I used to.
I am better at math. I usually understand it the first time, before I had to ask a few times to get it.
I feel that I am progressing in speech, vocabulary, mental focus and pretty much better changes in most aspects.
The Arrowsmith Program has filled a void in our educational program by reaching out, giving students hope, and providing an opportunity to taste success.
As a high school special education teacher, I have had the opportunity to work with the following student over the past two years in the area of English.
I began to organize my thoughts more effectively, and to plan ahead— first a few weeks ahead, then a few months ahead.
The Arrowsmith Program has helped me in subjects like math, spelling and even memorizing.
Now I can Dare to Dream about becoming a better dancer because Arrowsmith has helped me remember the routines and I am not as clumsy.
There have been only a few times in my sons’ lifetime journey where we have seen a genuine significant improvement in his abilities.
I’m finally free. I’m free of everything now. I’m free from all my problems and worries. I’m free from everything now.
After 4 years, it is time for Andrew to leave the Arrowsmith Program.
My family has noticed some changes. Even my piano teacher and my neighbours can tell that I have changed.
I dream about having a job I love and can manage well with the help of the program at this school, I feel like this dream of mine will succeed, “walls” have been put up in front of me, and trust me they have been difficult to pass.
This poem is a winner from a city-wide poetry competition, written about how this student was helped by Arrowsmith:
A Hope For A Better Tomorrow
A hope for a better tomorrow is real
Because there is always a chance to heal
Fingers of sadness clenching your heart
The feeling that makes you want to dart
A lump in your throat too big to bear
Makes you wonder if they really care
But even in the darkest night
There’s always someone who shines their light
That person is someone who does care
Who smiles and lifts you from despair
Their hug is like a ray of light
It gives sorrow something to fight
A hope for a better tomorrow is real
Because there are always people who want you to heal