Arrowsmith tackles learning challenges

ADULTS able to read words they never could. Students deciphering 10-handed clocks, where they once struggled to read the time. These are just some of the great stories coming out of the Darling Downs Christian School’s (DDCS) Arrowsmith Program.

“Seeing these students now able to engage in life, to be independent and finally able to understand what they are learning is so rewarding,” Arrowsmith teacher

Glenda Fitzpatrick said.

The Arrowsmith Program was developed in Cananda, based on the emerging science of neuroplasticity to strengthen learning capabilities in people facing a wide range of learning disabilities.

For Arrowsmith students, understanding a conversation, tackling maths or even deciphering a joke can be a major challenge. DDCS was one of the first Australian school’s to introduce the program and now has both a school-age and adults stream.

Mrs Fitzpatrick said in the past, students with learning disabilities were given programs which simply compensated for the difficulties they encountered in the classroom.

“In contrast, the goal of the Arrowsmith Program is to identify and strengthen each individual students’ area of dysfunction,” she said. “Our students are able to understand life, remember what they’re learning, read more fluently and express themselves so much better.” The school limits Arrowsmith class sizes to 10-12, to ensure every student gets the personal attention they need.

“We find people tend to spend 2 to 4 years in the program,” Mrs Fitzpatrick said. For more information call DDCS on (07) 4659 1111 or email arrowsmith@ddcs.qld.edu.au.