The Woman who Changed Her Brain
And Other Inspiring Stories of Pioneering Brain Transformation
By: Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
About This Book
Barbara Arrowsmith-Young was born with severe learning disabilities that caused teachers to label her slow, stubborn - or worse. As a child, she read and wrote everything backward, struggled to process concepts in language, continually got lost, and was physically uncoordinated. She could make no sense of an analogue clock. But by relying on her memory and iron will, she made her way to graduate school, where she chanced upon research that inspired her to invent cognitive exercises to 'fix' her own brain. 'The woman who changed her brain' interweaves her personal tale with case histories from her more than thirty years of working with both children and adults.
AI Overview
Title: "The Woman Who Changed Her Brain: And Other Inspiring Stories of Cognitive Transformation"
Author: Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
Plot Summary: "The Woman Who Changed Her Brain" is a memoir and self-help book that chronicles Barbara Arrowsmith-Young's journey from being born with severe learning disabilities to becoming a pioneering figure in cognitive education. The book interweaves Arrowsmith-Young's personal story with case histories from her work over thirty years with both children and adults.
Arrowsmith-Young was born with several learning deficiencies, including difficulties with symbolic recognition, which made everyday tasks like reading and writing extremely challenging. She felt like she was living in a fog until she discovered the work of Dr. Alexander Luria, a Soviet neuropsychologist who developed cognitive exercises to help brain-injured soldiers regain their abilities. Inspired by Luria's work, Arrowsmith-Young devised her own series of exercises using flashcards to improve her temporal lobe function, which helped her overcome some of her learning disabilities.
The book details how Arrowsmith-Young's intense efforts led to significant cognitive transformations. She used neuroplasticity techniques to "wake up" parts of her brain that were previously underactive. This personal transformation motivated her to launch her own research into neuroplasticity and eventually found the Arrowsmith School in Toronto in 1980. The school's curriculum is designed to isolate and address specific learning deficiencies in students of all ages, aiming to improve their cognitive functioning.
Key Themes:
- Neuroplasticity: The book highlights the concept of neuroplasticity, demonstrating that the brain is fluid and changeable rather than static.
- Personal Transformation: Arrowsmith-Young's journey serves as a testament to the potential for radical transformation in individuals with learning disabilities.
- Cognitive Education: The book emphasizes the importance of targeted cognitive exercises in improving brain function.
- Inspiration and Hope: It offers hope to those struggling with learning disorders, ADD, or brain trauma by showing that such challenges are not lifelong conditions.
Critical Reception:
- Positive Reviews: The book has been praised for its inspiring and uplifting narrative. Reviewers have noted that it deepens our understanding of how the brain works and provides clear evidence of the brain's ability to be shaped through cognitive exercises.
- Autobiographical Nature: Some reviewers have mentioned that the book can feel like a novella-length advertisement for the Arrowsmith School, given the extensive case studies included.
- Impact on Readers: The book has been described as moving and absorbing, with many readers finding it inspiring due to Arrowsmith-Young's extraordinary dedication to education and her heart for students with learning disabilities.
Overall, "The Woman Who Changed Her Brain" is a poignant and uplifting book that offers a compelling story of personal transformation and cognitive education, providing both hope and practical insights for those dealing with learning disabilities.