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The Davis Dyslexia Correction® method consists of the
following:
1. Perceptual Ability Assessment:
A screening to
determine the ability to perceive multi-dimensionally.
This interview also establishes if the individual is
aware that they have a problem, and whether they are
motivated and want to do something about it.
2. Symptoms Profile Interview:
The client is
asked to rate their strengths and weaknesses in a wide
range of topics related to learning. From this the
individual client’s needs and goals are established. A
programme is then tailored to provide the client with
skills necessary to achieve their personal learning
goals.
3. Davis Orientation Counseling:
This is achieved by giving the student a mental ‘on-off’
switch which enables students to control all of their
senses (perception). With practice this control helps
identify what letters and words trigger uncertainty and
confusion. This mental on-off switch gives the student
the ability to focus on written material and identify
and overcome persistent reading mistakes.
The
goal of Orientation Counseling is to give the student
the ability to consciously control their perception when
it acts as a barrier to reading, writing, spelling or
maths or succeeding in a traditional educational / work
setting.
4. Davis Symbol Mastery:
Symbol mastery effectively identifies and eliminates the
confusions that trigger spontaneous disorientations.
This process is used to master the alphabet, in
uppercase and lowercase letters, both forwards and
backwards. To achieve this, clay is used as a tool
because it is a great medium for creativity.
Punctuation marks are mastered in the same way, with
full understanding of how they are used as ‘road signs’
in reading.
5. Word Mastery:
A common problem for most dyslexics are the ‘sight’
words such as if, for, of, and the like. These words
‘trigger’ confusion and produce a ‘blank’ mental picture
which disables the dyslexic’s ability to think and
function with them. To overcome this, Symbol Mastery
uses all three components of what a word consists of:
- What a word looks like
- What a word means
- What a
word says
By using a dictionary we get a clear
definition of the words meaning. With a clear definition
we talk sentences for a clear picture of the meaning.
With a clear picture of the meaning we put this
definition into a 3-dimensional clay model. In an
orientated state we then Symbol master what the word
looks likes, means and says.
This procedure draws
on the unique learning style that picture thinkers
possess – experience and creativity – “we know it
because we made it”. There are approximately 217 trigger
(non-picture) words to Symbol Master in order to correct
the learning difficulty side of dyslexia. There may be
additional words that require this process.
Any
word or concept that causes confusion can be mastered
with this procedure. This technique of mastery can also
be applied to any subject that a student wishes or needs
to learn.
6. Three Step Reading Exercises:
A. Spell-Reading:
To train left to right eye
movement
Enable the reader to recognize letter
groups as words.
B. Sweep-Sweep-Spell:
Continue training in left to right eye movement
Continue word recognition
C. Picture at
Punctuation
Full comprehension of what is read by
accurately picturing at each punctuation ‘stop sign’
what the author is conveying.
7. Support
Training:
Support training is an essential part
of the program. A family member, tutor or friend is
taught the basic Symbol Mastery methods and reading
exercises and briefed on how to act as a coach after the
Programme. A study schedule is agreed upon with the
student who will continue Symbol Mastery of the trigger
words in the home setting.
8. The Outcome of
the Davis Dyslexia Correction Program:
- The
ability to recognize and correct disorientation's at
will.
- The ability to focus attention.
- The
knowledge of how to eliminate confusions in words and
symbols
- The basic tools of literacy
As a
result the client has:
- Increased self-confidence
and ability in reading, writing, maths or physical
skills
- A method of learning that can be used
throughout life.
- Improvement in self-esteem as the
student begins to experience success with learning for
the first time.
Awareness of coping tactics
that hinder learning – such as:
- Avoidance
- Escapism
- Anger/aggression
- Victimization
- Dependency
- Compulsiveness
- Rote learning
- Illness
- Denial
- Self-sabotage
- Accommodation
- Distraction
- Procrastination
Once orientation is established, and confusion
eliminated from the written symbol, these ingrained
habits are no longer needed to survive in a learning
/ work situation.
In Addition:
The
clay exercises coupled with balancing exercises help
resolve many coordination problems, or left-right
confusion, caused by disorientation. These exercises
help develop balance and reinforce the student’s
ability to control orientation at will.
9.
The Davis Method can help solve:
- Dysgraphia
(handwriting difficulties)
- Dyscalculia (math
difficulties)
- ADD (attention deficit disorder)
- Auditory perception deficits
- Motor coordination
difficulties
- Problems with time and order
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