Duluth Core Learning: Cognitive skills therapy for all ages

By Andrea Busche

People who learn a little differently are often labeled as lazy or unable to learn. This couldn’t be further from the truth, according to Carolyn Haney, founder of Duluth Core Learning.

“If typical schooling isn’t working for someone, it usually means they have some gaps in what we call ‘underlying skills,’” Haney said, “including executive function skills, processing skills and core learning skills. This prevents them from reaching up and showing just how smart they really are.”

Haney shared that, shockingly, up to 30% of the population struggles with these types of skills.

Duluth Core Learning does not offer tutoring; however, they specialize in cognitive skills therapy, including activities and tools specially designed for each individual client/student and their learning style and particular need.

“Usually, when kids come to us, they are having trouble in school,” Haney said. “Our job is to find out why. When they leave us, we want them to be independent, efficient learners.”

Inspired by her own child

Haney, who is originally from Duluth, has an undergraduate degree in psychology and Spanish from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and a graduate degree in school counseling from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She spent two years teaching kindergarten and 20 years as a school counselor.

But the impetus to start her own business helping people with learning difficulties began with one of her own children, her son, Daniel, who is now 18. Daniel is a unique learner who is independent and hardworking, but struggled with test-taking, reading and reading comprehension.

“I wanted to help my son, and also give other families a place to turn,” Haney said. “There are so many kids falling through the cracks.”

Haney studied cognitive skills therapy in many contexts, traveling to Colorado, California and other states to hone her skills. And she is convinced that the program works.

Eventually, Daniel was able to exit his special education program, and has a bright future with dreams of becoming a police officer. Beyond assisting her own child, Haney and her team have helped hundreds of other students achieve their personal learning goals, too.

History

Duluth Core Learning initially opened its doors in January 2013. After several subsequent moves, they recently settled into their 2,700-square-foot space at 4801 Burning Tree Road in Duluth. Here, they assist 75-100 clients/ students per year, ranging in age from 4 to senior citizens.

All sessions are one-on-one between the client and one of the 13 clinicians employed at Duluth Core Learning. Sessions can be in-person or virtual; the majority of sessions are virtual these days, due to COVID-19. The virtual programming is also attractive to the many families located outside of Duluth who would normally have to travel several hours to receive services here.

While the program is intense — the average student’s sessions are two to three hours per week, for nine to 10 months — Haney says this is because Duluth Core Learning offers a permanent solution to its students.

“We want to fix whatever’s getting in their way so they don’t have to come back to us,” she said.

Process

Duluth Core Learning follows the same protocol for each client: meeting, assessment and training plan. An individualized training plan is created and executed for each student, strengthening skills such as visual memory, motor processing, reasoning and more.

Some of the students who visit Duluth Core Learning have formal diagnoses that may affect learning, including:

• Dyslexia;

• Being on the autism spectrum;

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;

• Sensory processing disorders;

• Auditory processing disorders;

• Anxiety;

• Difficulties with emotion management.

Many students simply have a unique way of learning.

“A lot of people come to us because they don’t want to medicate,” Haney said. “They want to retrain the brain.”

But Haney and her team also see many clients who do not have a formal diagnosis.

She explained that while children are their largest demographic, they have worked with many adults, the oldest of whom was 77 years old. Haney said it’s never too late to seek help with learning difficulties.

“Oftentimes, adults just accept it, and say, ‘This is who I am and I can’t change it.’ But they usually seek help when they start feeling limited and tired of not being able to do what they want to do.”

Payment

Insurance does not cover services offered at Duluth Core Learning, so all costs must be paid for out of pocket. However, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts can be used to pay for services. Scholarships and grants are also available for families in need.

Testimonial

Haney and her team regularly receive positive feedback from their clients. One parent of a fifth-grader receiving services had this to say:

“We have seen significant improvement in planning ahead, something we had never seen prior to Core Learning. We have also seen the ability for her to sit down and do her homework independently without continual supervision to focus.

“Prior to this, she was unable to complete homework if left alone. In school, the teachers have reported improved focus as well. We have seen an amazing turnaround of her actually being excited to complete school projects and homework.”

Haney noted that when it comes to children, Duluth Core Learning works closely with parents, and also the child’s school, in the instances when a release is provided.

This multi-pronged team approach strengthens the likelihood of success.

Fulfilling endeavor

For Haney, opening Duluth Core Learning and working as one of its clinicians has been incredibly satisfying.

“I’ve never had as rewarding, or as challenging, of a job as I have right now,” she said. “There is nothing like seeing the daily changes happening with our students. Parents send us photos of their kids, who used to hate reading, curled up in a hammock with a book. It’s so rewarding.”

Haney also wants to share that it’s never too late to seek help.

“One of the things parents often do is we beat ourselves up, and say things like, ‘I waited too long.’ But it’s never too late! We can always change our brain and work towards success.”

For more information, visit duluthcorelearning.com or find them on Facebook. D