ARK stands for Applied Research Knowledge.

The ARK Institute of Learning is a non-profit agency dedicated to diminish the impact of learning disorders in the lives of individuals. ARK associates are independent educational therapists who evaluate and instruct children and adults with special learning needs. The ARK Institute is also a center for training educators to effectively serve the atypical learner.

• Serves as a reference center for people researching learning differences
• Writes and publishes books and articles about learning disorders and their treatment
• Produces and distributes related teaching tools
• The ARK Institute certifies Educational Therapists and /or Instructional Therapists who have met the necessary requirements

• Assessing individuals to determine their learning profiles
• Providing instruction using techniques which circumvent learning obstacles
• Training and Certifying Educators as Educational Therapists and/or Instructional Specialists
• Offering parent forums

Assessments at the ARK involve a comprehensive battery of tests and other measures designed to assess an individual’s learning strengths and needs. Assessments are used to develop recommendations for an instructional program, help a school better understand the student’s needs, and/or provide information to parents and other professionals. During the intake conference, the client and/or parents/guardians assist in determining the purpose of the assessment and share background information about the client. The end result of the assessment is a learning profile written with user-friendly terms that explain tests and make recommendations specific to each client.

People with learning disorders can learn and learn well; they just learn differently. Instruction offers direct one-on-one interaction with an Educational Therapist. The instruction is designed to use the client’s learning strengths and to meet the specific learning goals as quickly as possible. ARK Educational Therapists use current, research-based practices. The goal is for the student to learn how to learn so they are capable of applying their individualized learning strategies to future academic challenges and in the workplace.

From I-5 North or South: exit onto Highway 16 toward Gig Harbor. Take the Union Ave exit. Turn right (north) on Union Ave. Proceed to 19th Street (second light). Turn left (west) onto 19th Street.Go one block to Washington Street and turn left. The ARK Institute building is on your right.