Because There's lots of smart people 'round these parts

[mightydoll]

Given what you know about Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Education, Parenting or Neurology (and you don't all have to know anything about all these topics, just one each'll do. ;)), what thoughts do y'all have on the Arrowsmith Program?

On the one hand, my kid could use some help with his executive functioning skills, and this program certainly seems

Comments

[christina_tm]

In regards to your second concern, it's understandable but I'm not sure there's a way to avoid it. No matter how many people told me not to let my myriad learning problems affect the rest of my life (nobody with a legitimate learning problem would say that, but that's another tale), I found it darn near impossible. It's very hard, especially for a young child, to not define his academic experience by the stigma associated with his differences, or the extra help he needs because of them.

I'm not an expert, and this is entirely anecdotal evidence, but that's my $0.02.

[analkant]

"The cognitive exercises are delivered in three formats:

* Pen and paper exercises that improve the cognitive capacities required for motor skills related to the mechanical aspect of writing, skills required for written communication, organization and planning, and skills required for non-verbal communication
* Auditory exercises to improve short and long term auditory memory, phonemic memory, oral and written output and vocabulary development and to increase the ability to hold and process information (working memory)
* Computer exercises to strengthen the ability to reason, use logic, and comprehend, as well as exercises for strengthening numeracy skills, reading, and visual memory for symbol patterns and face and landmark recognition"

Sounds like the same as the old drilling exercises

[kisekileia]

I think it's worth a shot if executive functioning is a significant problem for him now, because executive functioning problems only get more obvious as you get older. My decision would probably also be related to whether he does enough scholarly activity of his own accord that he would continue progressing academically.

[tualha]

I'd say to go with their proven track record and not worry too much about the theory. If, that is, you're thinking of going with one of these actual schools - just noticed you wrote "Program". I gather other schools offer it too. Check the track record of the schools you're looking at, and ask the Arrowsmith people how carefully they audit the people using their program to make sure they're doing it right.