The Woman Who Changed Her Brain
How I Left My Learning Disability Behind and Other Stories of Cognitive Transformation
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
A bestseller in Canada and Australia, this incredible story follows a woman who overcame severe learning disabilities, transformed her brain, and created a program that has helped thousands. Barbara Arrowsmith-Young faced significant challenges as a child, reading and writing everything backward, struggling with language comprehension, and often getting lost. However, her impressive memory propelled her to graduate school, where she discovered research that inspired her to develop cognitive exercises to "fix" her brain. This narrative intertwines her personal journey with compelling case histories from over thirty years of work with children and adults. Traditionally, individuals with learning disorders have been told their challenges are permanent. In clear, engaging prose, the book challenges this notion, showcasing through captivating anecdotes that anyone with a learning disability can undergo radical transformation—Arrowsmith-Young herself stands as proof. In 1980, she founded the Arrowsmith School in Toronto and later developed the Arrowsmith Program to train educators in this effective methodology throughout North America. This remarkable account by a pioneering figure enhances our understanding of brain function and offers hopeful evidence that we can actively shape our brains.
