The Gift of Dyslexia
The Gift of Dyslexia
Why Some of the Smartest People Can't Read and How They Can Learn (Revised and Expanded)
By: Ronald D. Davis with Eldon M.Braun
First published in 1994, Ron Davis’ The Gift of Dyslexia became an immediate best-seller and changed the face of how dyslexia is viewed – and how it can be remedied – worldwide. The third revised and expanded edition published in 2010 contains added information to help with the mental techniques for orientation and attention focus that are the hallmark of the Davis program.
Publication Data
Perigee Books 2010
Book Finder:
ISBN: 978-0399535666
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Audio Book Options:
- Audio CD Set
- Audible.com Download (Available Free with trial subscription)
Looking for Help?
- www.davismethod.org – International Directory of Davis Providers
I am 20 and I read like an 8/9 year old. My spelling is horrible. I have given up on actual reading and I listen to everything. Audio books and a USB flash drive with synthetic speech programs is how I go true life. A lot of people have given help to me, to get me to the level I am on today.
I have never heard of this program and so have the people that I askt. This program sound like a fairytale and I know that the world does not word that way. Can someone convince me that this is not just a fairytale? that this not only works on ‘some’ people? And please, don’t be afraid to come up with facts and to refer to scientific research. I will understand !!
I live in the south of the Nederland’s and Belgium is close by. Is there a local center whare I can ask my question.
Stefan, there are many Davis Facilitators in Nederland — you can find a list of all of them here: https://www.davismethod.org/loc/netherlands/
I would suggest that you use the map or navigation links to find a Facilitator near you. Ask the facilitator to provide references of other adult clients they have worked with. You will be able to tell from each listing how long that facilitator has been licensed. All facilitators are fully qualified to provide Davis programs because of the rigorous practical training requirements, but the more experienced facilitators will likely have more references to provide, simply because they will have worked with more clients over the years.
Adults tend to do very well with the Davis program because of higher levels of motivation and maturity. It is important to follow through with the program, using the tools you are provided after your week with the facilitator.
The book is available from most major online booksellers. One good option in many countries is BookDepository.com
Because of the high cost for international shipping of the kit, we recommend that you start with only the book. The book will give you enough information to understand the program and to decide whether you also want the kit. We are happy to ship internationally from our store at https://shop.dyslexia.com/ — but shipping costs and delivery options can be variable in different parts of the world.
Dyslexia is not a disease. It is simply a different way of thinking and learning. The problems can be corrected; dyslexic children can become capable and confident readers and strong students. The book, The Gift of Dyslexia, describes and explains the methods we use – so a first step for a parent is to simply read the book.
Where is the audio-book?
Good question! I’ve added links to the Audio CD set and to Audible.com above, to make that easier to find.
My daughter was diagnosed as having dyslexia (issues with a slow processing speed) when she was 22 years old. She had created strategies to help herself at school and university. As a child and teenager she would spend hours and hours studying but didn’t receive the grades she should have, for the amount of time studying. Her dyslexia was masked because she is extremely intelligent. But the frustration came when she needed to sit an exam. She can now explain that for the first 15-20 minutes of an exam her brain would ‘freeze’. This had a great impact on her ability to complete exam papers. Due to the fact that we did not know she had this issue she did not receive the extra time in exams that she could have been given. Now at age 25 she is struggling to hold down a job as she struggles with time management and self confidence. I feel very sad that I didn’t know she had a slow processing speed which is a characteristic of dyslexia. I would love to help her reach her full potential, and have just heard about the Davis Dyslexia Correction methods.
From David,
Having read and understood ‘Gift of Dyslexia’ I can see you may have created an incorrect diagnosis of how the mind of your daughter is working. I believe her mind is working very fast in an attempt to find a translation that is understood by her and is acceptable to others. She is not ‘slow processing’. Also, a negative attitude towards her way of translation will harm her. You, as a parent must view her responses and behaviour as positive progress.
I have helped my four grandchildren to understand their own minds when they were at school. The authorities refused to cooperate by giving individual support to these children, so it’s up to you as a parent to positively guide your daughter even though she is 25 years old. Please support her.
David.
My daughter is dyslexic, she has trouble remembering words, blending sounds, writing, she transposes her letters and numbers, and she it only transposes the normal “b” and “d” letters, but she will write all her letters upside down, backwards, or sometimes both, and she also reads backwards. As a mother, there are times I feel as if I’m failing her as a parent because when we are doing homework (she is eager to learn and tries so hard to understand) she visibly shuts down in front of me. My daughter is 6 and in the first grade; however, the school system will not officially accept / test her for dyslexia until the second grade. I am ordering and having your book rushed to me so I can try to help her, but I see you also host workshops. And are there any tips that you can give me while I anxiously await your book?
Nikole, as your daughter is only age 6, I would encourage you to consider purchasing a Davis Young Learner’s Kit. The book will give you an excellent overview of the Davis approach, but the instructions in the book are geared to parents working with children age 8 and above. The Young Learner’s kit provides the materials you need along with a manual which provides instructions geared to parents of children age 5-7. The Davis techniques will work well for younger children, but for younger kids the environment needs to be kept playful and things have to be taken more slowly.
We list all workshops we offer at https://www.davistraining.info/ — for the most part workshops in the US take place at our California training facility.
Samson, dyslexia is not a disease, but rather a difference in the way the child thinks and learns. Dyslexia may be tied to some verbal problems such as stuttering or mispronouncing or confusing words, but it does not affect a child’s ability to learn to talk. If your son cannot speak at age 12, then it is a cause other than dyslexia. It could be that your son is autistic, but you would need a proper diagnosis to determine that. Your son’s inability to read could be tied to dyslexia, but I think you need to first focus on his inability to speak.
This page has a good overview of the common signs of autism – and might help you better understand whether that could be the cause of your son’s difficulties: https://www.davisautism.com/what-is-autism.html
Found out today that my daughter (9 years old) has memory dyslexia. And everything that was mentioned in this post is my daughter. At home i struggle so much with her i do not know left to right. I have been printing educational tools for her to help at home but to me it seemed as sees stubborn and lazy. I feel so bad and helpless. Is there any tools guides that could help me at home to help her? She remembers directions when i get lost but her school work is poor. Id really appreciate if there is something i can do at home
The book described on this page explains the key parts of the Davis program and provides specific instructions on how to implement the program at home. Ron Davis has often said that he wrote the book with the idea of a parent of a 9-year-old child in mind – so that really is the best and easiest place to start.
My daughter is nearly 19 and has just been diagnosed with Dyslexia at he University. She was diagnosed with auditory processing disorder when she was 10 but she’s had no special help or support.
She did pretty well at school and is at a Russell Group university. We have always known she is incredibly bright …. are there tools and tecniques that she can ow use to help her and make her life as easy as possible?
Maggie, the book The Gift of Dyslexia describe the tools that we use. Perhaps you could share the book with her and ask whether she would like a Davis program. If she is attending University and no longer living at home with you, it probably would be best to work with a licensed Facilitator for the initial 5-day program – you will find listings for the UK here: https://www.davismethod.org/loc/uk
If your son is high functioning and motivated to improve his reading, then the techniques described in the book may help. However, he may need more specialized help geared to his autism. There are separate programs geared to based on the Davis technique, and they now offer workshops geared to helping parent work with their own children. You will find more information about the autism programs at http://www.davisautism.com
Rafi, you do not need a formal diagnosis to get help. Formal testing is needed if you want to get accommodations in the workplace or university, but we certainly don’t require it or need it for the Davis program. You can get a rough sense of where your symptoms fit by running through the online survey at https://www.testdyslexia.com/
Miriam,32yrs old ,have dyslexia since was born,its a secret have had to keep it to myself apart from my mother..challenge i have in my country no centers for ths..am in Nairobi kenya..can wish to do something about it in the future..the struggle is real honestly..Can wish to attend one seminar so that can learn more about it..could be happy to hear from you.
thanks
Miriam — there is a Davis Facilitator in Naorobi who can work with private clients. You can find her contact information here: https://www.davismethod.org/loc/kenya/
I’m 40 I’m sure I’m dyslexic I would like a test please.
A good starting point is https://www.testdyslexia.com/ — it won’t give you a formal diagnosis, but is an easy on-line survey that will give you a better understanding of your learning profile.