Davis Dyslexia Correction
The Davis Dyslexia Correction program is suitable for children age 8 and over, and adults of any age. Licensed Davis providers have successfully worked with many individuals over age 70.
The program typically includes 30 hours of one-on-one work over a 5-day period. Before starting the program, the Davis provider performs a Perceptual Ability Assessment, an exercise that helps determine whether the student has innate visual conceptualization skills often tied to dyslexia.
The two major components of the Davis Dyslexia Correction program are Orientation Counseling and Symbol Mastery.
Davis Orientation Counseling® teaches dyslexic students how to recognize and control the mental state that leads to distorted and confused perceptions of letters, words and numerals. Through a simple mental technique, the students learn to turn off the thought processes that cause misperceptions. Instead, they are able to restore their minds to a relaxed and focused state, suitable for reading and other studies. Once Orientation is learned, the student is ready to build the conceptual skills that will allow them to overcome problems stemming from dyslexia.
Davis Symbol Mastery® gives dyslexic students the ability to think with symbols and words, so they can learn to read easily and with full comprehension. Using clay, students first work with the alphabet, numerals, and punctuation marks, to make sure that they have an accurate perception and understanding of these symbols. Students then use clay to model the trigger words–the short abstract words, frequently encountered in reading, such as and, the, to, or it. These words cause problems when dyslexic students cannot form a mental picture to go along with them. Through Symbol Mastery, the student makes a three-dimensional clay model of the meaning of each word, together with a model of the letters of the words. With this approach, learning is permanent.
When working with children and teenagers, the Davis provider also provides support training to parents, so that they can continue to work with the child at home. At the end of the basic program, students have a full understanding of all the Davis methods, and know how to continue to use these methods on their own. On completion, students are given a kit containing all materials needed to continue to practice Davis techniques and to continue with clay modeling until they have mastered all the common trigger words.
This program is currently available online from many Davis Facilitators. For more information, see Online Program Delivery (Pilot Program).
For a sense of program benefits, watch these videos from GiftedDyslexic (South Africa):
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Tikki, the first step to arrange a Davis program is to set up an appointment for consultation and screening directly with a Facilitator. You can find worldwide listings for facilitators with this link: https://www.davismethod.org/
Can this program also help with Dyscalculia?
Yes, it can — but there is also a separate program specifically geared to math, which you can read about here: https://www.dyslexia.com/davis-difference/davis-programs/davis-math-mastery/
A consultation with a Davis Facilitator can help determine whether it is best to start with the Dyslexia Correction program, or to do the Davis Math Mastery program only. It would depend on specific areas of difficulty.
Jellimah, if you want to use Davis methods on an informal basis, such as working with your own child or working with students you already teach or tutor, you can get basic information to get started from the book, The Gift of Dyslexia. That information could be supplemented later on by purchasing Davis kits or attending a basic, introductory Davis workshop.
If you want to work as a Davis Facilitator — that is, to offer standard Davis programs in a fee-based setting, then you would need to become licensed as a Davis Facilitator. You’ll find information about Davis training options at https://www.davistraining.info/
The more I read about this approach to helping students with dyslexia, the more I like it! I work with several young children who show dyslexic tendencies and in order to help them achieve more and make better progress, I would like to train to become a fully trained facilitator in the Davis methods. I have two questions:
How much would it cost me
How long would it take for me to qualify
I find it so frustrating that there are so many children out there who would benefit from these methods of learning and I want to be able to give them that knowledge to enable them to reach their full potential. I feel very inspired by all that I have read today and I can’t wait to get started on my learning journey.
Christine, you will find information about training to become a Davis Facilitator at our training site, http://www.davistraining.info
It generally takes about a year to complete all phases of training. The costs are somewhat dependent on where you do the training, so you want to be working through the Davis training agency for your country or region.
You’ll find more information on these pages:
> Licensing Course Sequence — https://www.davistraining.info/davis-facilitator-licensing-overview/
> Licensing Questions — https://www.davistraining.info/licensing-questions/
Natalie, we provide training in using Davis methods, but that would not qualify you to diagnose dyslexia. In many parts of the world (including US & Canada), a formal diagnosis needs to be made by a medical professional or licensed psychologist.
Keep in mind that there is a difference between diagnosis and screening, and that a person does need a formal diagnosis to receive help. You would not need formal credentials to learn basic signs of dyslexia and to use a screening test or symptoms list in order to identify students who seem to have dyslexic tendencies. But you couldn’t diagnose — instead you could recommend to their teachers or parents that the child be referred to an appropriate professional for diagnosis.
The book The Gift of Dyslexia contains basic instructions in how to get started with Davis methods. For free international shipping, you can use this link: http://www.dyslexia.com/bd/gift-of-dyslexia
You can also use the “Bookfinder” link at https://www.dyslexia.com/book/the-gift-of-dyslexia/ to help find other sources for the book.
I have a 6yr of son who is in 1sr grade and struggles with reading. He also has a speech articulation issue only when using the letter l blended with another consonant. He is bilingual (English and Spanish) and and was taking classes in Chinese mandarin, till I was informed of his struggles. He was assessed and was recently diagnosed with dyslexia.
My questions are:
1) how can I know whether he is dyslexic or he is simply younger (he’s bday is at the end of March) and slower at developing his maturity?
2) when would it be a good age to re- assess?
3) can/should I start him on Davis program?
Karina, the Davis Dyslexia Correction program is given only to chidren age 8 and over. For children age 5-8, we instead would offer a Davis Reading Program for Young Learners. This is a foundational program that introduces the Davis tools to a child as will as providing training to the parent to continue working with a child. No assessment is required because it is meant to help any child to acquire beginning reading skills. This is also because of the question you have – it is very hard to know at age 5 or 6 if a child is dyslexic – but the child does not need to be dyslexic to benefit from extra support.
Amie, the approach we use is described in detail in the book, The Gift of Dyslexia — (see https://www.dyslexia.com/book/the-gift-of-dyslexia/ for more info). The book provides how-to instructions for the key techniques we use. I would encourage you to read the book and then ask your student whether she would like to try that approach.
She does not need a formal diagnosis to use these tools — the information you have provided already shows that she would benefit from the Davis approach, if she is willing and motivated.
How can I find a licensed Davis provider near me?
There is a complete online directory of licensed Davis provider at https://www.davismethod.org/
There is an interactive map on the home page that you can use to find a facilitator, or you can scroll down to browse through the site by geographic location. Here is a direct link you can also use to browse by location: https://www.davismethod.org/davis-facilitators/locations/
Marie, you are not stupid. On the contrary, you are probably quite smart because you have very clear symptoms of dyslexia and yet you managed to learn to read and enjoy reading even though you were not given extra support and assistance.
Judith, Davis facilitators have reported varying degrees of success working with individuals who have experienced brain damage from a head injury or stroke, so we know that there is some benefit to our approach. However, progress can be slow – usually the facilitators have been working with a family member or close friend rather than providing a fee-based program, as there really is a need for sustained practice and support over time. It is not a magic solution, just a set of tools that can help on the way of recovery. But this might be an avenue for you to explore.
Kristofer, if you mean that you completed the survey at https://www.testdyslexia.com — that is an educational tool but not a formal diagnosis.
If you are interested in a possible Davis Dyslexia Correction program for yourself, the next step would be to make an appointment with a Davis Facilitator, who would in turn provide a further assessment to determine whether a Davis program will provide the help you need. You can find a facilitator using our online directory at http://www.davismethod.org
If you want to have an “official” diagnosis, then you will need to work with a qualified professional — generally an educational psychologist or neurologist. The cost of diagnostic testing can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. We do not provide such testing or referrals because our focus is providing our clients with the tools needed to address and overcome their problem.