Davis Programs

Davis Dyslexia Correction was the first program developed by Ron Davis to correct reading learning disabilities. It was soon discovered that his techniques could be modified and also used to correct disabilities with learning math and writing, and attention deficit disorder. Now there is a school-based program that prevents learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder (ADD) from becoming problems for young school children. All Davis programs are based on the same theory which addresses the root cause of learning disabilities and ADD. The programs are:

Davis Dyslexia Correction®

The Davis Dyslexia Correction program is based on the discovery by Ron Davis that folks with learning disabilities are picture thinkers. They actually process information in three-dimensional visual images, and therefore think easily with words they can picture, such as piano, elephant, pencil, or bicycle. They often have difficulty thinking with words that do not have visual images, such as of, if, although, or how. They also have the ability to rotate visual images mentally so that they can "see" the image from multiple vantage points. When doing this, visual perception of the "real world" may be distorted so we say that the individual has visual perceptual problems. The Davis term is disoriented.

This ability to think in pictures and shift the mind's eye to look at images from various perspectives is a great gift that often brings with it artistic and creative talents, but causes problems when dealing with two-dimensional symbols such as letters, numerals, and punctuation marks. The Dyslexia Correction program begins by teaching dyslexic folks to recognize when they are in this disoriented state, and how to turn off the disorientation, thus making perception accurate. That is when effective learning can begin.

We then work with clay to help the individual clear up the confusion about letters and words that caused disorientation. The solution to difficulty in reading, writing and thinking with abstract words is for the individual to create mental images that ground his/her understanding of the word, and match the image with a clear picture of what the printed word looks like. The procedure is called Davis Symbol Mastery®.

The Davis Dyslexia Correction program includes three specific reading exercises, NOT based on phonics, drill, or repetition (which don't work well for dyslexic folks) that quickly improve reading fluency and comprehension. After completion of a one-week program with a Davis facilitator, the individual has follow-up work to complete at home. When the follow-up work is done, the individual is a "corrected dyslexic" who can read and write normally.

Davis Basic Concepts program for ADD

Davis techniques offer a drug-free approach to successful management of ADD/ADHD.

The key symptoms of ADD are difficulty staying focused and difficulty with planning and organization, including difficulty keeping track of things. People with ADD often do not seem to be listening, quickly forget what they have been asked to do, and seem lost in their own world. The reason is they spend much more time than most dyslexic folks in a disoriented state. In a disoriented state, the senses of time, balance and motion may also be affected, leading to hyperactivity or hypoactivity. When individuals spend too much time in a disoriented state, they miss completely, or partially, learning some basic concepts required for managing themselves, tasks, and belongings.

Correction begins with Davis Orientation Counselling, helping the individual learn to recognize disorientation, and turn it off. There are Davis tools to help handle hyperactivity and frustration tolerance. Basic concepts are mastered using Davis Symbol Mastery, so the individual learns to think with the ideas of change, consequence, time, sequence, and order vs. disorder. The program is detailed in "The Gift of Learning" by Ron Davis.

Davis Math Mastery®

Most math-related learning disabilities are directly related to the dyslexic way of thinking and perceiving, and clear up once dyslexia is addressed. The dyslexia correction program clears up problems of mis-reading function signs, mis-reading numerals, difficulty with word problems, and difficulty understanding new concepts. However, there are some folks who have a specific learning disability in math. The same concepts mastered in the ADD program underlie acquisition of basic math concepts and skills.

The Davis Math Mastery® program includes orientation counselling and basic ADD concept mastery. Once the individual can learn in an oriented state, and has mastered those basic concepts, basic math concepts are taught in a way that makes sense to a dyslexic brain. Using clay, the individual learns math procedures and concepts by tapping into the picture-thinking ability. The math mastery program covers counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Math function words are mastered using Davis Symbol Mastery.

Dysgraphia Correction

Poor handwriting can have several causes. All Davis Dyslexia Program Facilitators are trained to identify the cause(s) of dysgraphia and use the appropriate procedures to eliminate the problem.

Davis Learning Strategies®

Davis Learning Strategies® is a classroom-based program for primary grades (ages 5-8). Davis tools and techniques provide meaning-based instruction and attention-focusing tools to help all young children become capable learners. In pilot classrooms, these methods eliminated the need for later special education assessment/placement for at-risk students. Teacher training is provided by the Davis Dyslexia Association International. Visit www.davislearn.com for more information.

Davis Reading Program for Young Learners

Young learners deserve the best start we can give them. Strong research evidence suggests that children who are exposed to Davis methods at K-3 age benefit in the following ways:

• They are highly unlikely to develop a learning difficulty.
• They are significantly more likely to qualify for gifted program referrals.
• Their basic word recognition will be among the highest levels expected for their age group.

The Davis Reading Program for Young Learners is an individualized learning enhancement program with a licensed and trained Davis Facilitator. Its mission is to give children aged 5-7 the best possible start at the outset of their learning career. Its aims are to provide lifelong learning skills to younger children through a partnership between Facilitator, child, and parents, and to provide each student with the tools an skills to become a fluent, confident reader.