Home > Welcome to the Eaton Brain Improvement Centre (EBIC)

Located at Oakridge Centre, Eaton Brain Improvement Centre consists of the satellite instructional classrooms for adults and young adults working on the Arrowsmith Program through the Eaton Arrowsmith School (EAS) at UBC.

Eaton Brain Improvement Centre (EBIC) enables adults and young adults to strengthen their learning capacities so that learning becomes easier and more efficient. Using the Arrowsmith program, which has been operating in Toronto for over 30 years, EBIC provides individuals with learning disorders an opportunity to strengthen brain functioning through systematic and intensive cognitive remediation. The resulting improved cognitive capacities lead to greater ease and rate of learning, as well as improved opportunities for college programming and employment.

The Arrowsmith Program is founded on neuroscientific research and 30 years of experience demonstrating that it is possible for individuals to strengthen the weak cognitive capacities underlying their learning dysfunctions through a program of specific cognitive exercises.

This program deals with the underlying causes of learning disabilities by identifying and strengthening weak cognitive capacities and has proven effective for students having difficulty with reading, writing and mathematics, comprehension, logical reasoning, visual and auditory memory, non-verbal learning, attention, processing speed and dyslexia.

The philosophy of the Arrowsmith Program is that affected brain areas can be improved through mental exercises, resulting in increased mental capacities and strengthened learning abilities. It has been demonstrated that when the deficient area is improved, the individual's ability to perform complex tasks such as reading or writing also improves.

Each cognitive exercise (written, visual, auditor, and/or computer-based) has been designed to target a specific area of learning difficulty and each student's program is tailored to meet that individual's particular needs. Students actively engage in the exercises in 35 minutes blocks, working towards mastery of the each level of difficulty in each exercise. When an exercise becomes easier for the student, the level of difficulty is then increased, thereby increasing the cognitive capacity of that area.

Comprehensive testing at the beginning of the program determines which exercises will be the most beneficial, and gives an indication of the expected duration of the program. For most students, a 2-3 year program is required.

Students, typically age 18-28, come to EBIC with varied needs and goals. Some are preparing for the GED, others are in transition from high school to post-secondary, while others are preparing for new employment opportunities. The flexibility of EBIC’s schedule, which offers both morning and afternoon sessions Monday through Friday, allows these students to work during the week, or to take courses, while participating in the program. EBIC operates on a September to June schedule, with a Winter Break and a Spring Beak.

Regardless of their goals and their reasons for participating in the program, EBIC students leave with increased learning capacities, a sense of accomplishment, enhanced self-esteem, and a strong work ethic.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to register, please call 604-264-8327.

Mission statement

To provide young adults and adults with learning disorders an opportunity to strengthen brain functioning through systematic and intensive cognitive remediation. This will provide young adults and adults with improved opportunities for college programming and employment. The cognitive remediation program will also enhance the self-esteem of the young adult and adult, improving their overall health.