It is estimated that 10-15% of the population struggle with dyslexia. Unfortunately, a large majority go undiagnosed – despite struggling to read or write throughout their lives. Usually bright in every other respect, dyslexics are often misunderstood, leading to frustration and low self-esteem.
Breakthrough research by Ronald D. Davis, author of the internationally acclaimed book, The Gift of Dyslexia, indicates that dyslexia is not a malfunction of the brain, eyes, or ears - it is a compound of simple factors which can be dealt with step by step.
Davis will be touring the US and Canada to conduct a series of lectures to present his breakthrough methods for treating people with dyslexia. Davis has helped many thousands of adult and child dyslexics all over the world to read, understand the dyslexic learning style, and to enhance their natural creative ability.
Davis believes that all dyslexics share a visual, multi-dimensional, picture-thinking style, and are less predisposed to word-based thinking. It is this difference in perception and thinking style that causes dyslexics to have difficulty spelling and recognizing printed symbols - such as letters of the alphabet and written words. Their lack of verbal thinking also poses problems with teaching approaches which emphasize phonics and phonemic awareness.
According to Davis, confusion with symbols and abstract words cause a dyslexic’s perception to distort - resulting in transpositions, mistakes, fatigue, and frustration while reading and writing.
In order to successfully assist a dyslexic individual, one must address both the perceptual distortion, and the underlying confusion with symbols and words.
Davis asserts, “If control can be gained over perceptual disorientation by using simple mental processes, and language skills taught with methods adapted to picture thinkers, then someone who is dyslexic will be able to read and write without problems.”
Considered autistic from infancy, Davis grew up labeled a “dummy” at home and “mentally retarded” at school. Despite his severe learning disabilities, he became a successful engineer, businessman and sculptor. Davis was functionally illiterate until the age of 38 when he discovered a method that allowed him to stop the distorted perception that rendered words impossible to decipher - and to read a book cover-to-cover for the first time in his life without struggling.
Davis went on to research and develop training procedures known as the Davis Dyslexia Correction® Program, for dyslexic adults and children that are now changing the face of special education and learning disability throughout the world. These methods are geared towards the unique learning style of dyslexics. The unique aspects of his work include a series of perceptual and kinesthetic exercises called Davis Orientation Counseling, which quickly and easily enable people prone to disorientation, and who suffer from learning difficulties, to control and “switch off” the mental processes that cause distorted perceptions of letters, words and numerals.
Davis has also developed creative learning procedures called Davis Symbol Mastery which allows dyslexic students to think with symbols and words so they can learn to read easily, and with full comprehension. The process involves students modeling symbols and word concepts in clay, a multi-sensory process that enables them to exercise their creativity. With this approach, learning is permanent.
Short quote from Randee Garretson and clients:
“I have been licensed as a Davis Facilitator since August 2001, and in that time I have had the honor to work with many students and adults ranging in ages from 5 to 63. It was through a friend’s child’s difficulties that I discovered The Gift of Dyslexia, by Ronald Davis. That child’s life and the lives of his family were changed for the better dramatically,”
“In twelve years of teaching language and learning disabilities this program is the one that makes the most sense to me - it is the most effective, successful program that I’ve experienced for learning disabilities. Using the Davis methods I am able to give each student the ability and opportunity to learn successfully and confidently, gaining a higher sense of self-esteem in the process,” Randee added. A couple of recently received notes from clients: “It was all because of you that I was in the Battle of the Books and I am not an alternate; I am one of the top three and I scored the best score in the class!” Another, “You have made me feel brave when I read. Thank you.”
Ron and Alice Davis founded Davis Dyslexia Association International (DDAI) in 1995. Its goals are to increase worldwide awareness about the positive aspects of dyslexia and related learning styles and to present methods for improving literacy. DDAI is accomplishing these goals largely through Ron Davis’ international lecture tours, professional workshops, certification and licensing programs, its high profile website www.dyslexia.com and its international quarterly newsletter, The Dyslexic Reader.
Since 1995, DDAI has established training representatives all over the world. Each of these branches offers information services in local languages and various levels of professional training in the Davis methods. Those who undergo the full training regimen become licensed and certified Davis Facilitators. DDAI provides referral services and technical support to more than 450 licensed Davis Facilitators who offer the Davis Dyslexia Correction Program in forty nations and in thirty languages. The Davis methods report a 97% success rate correcting (not curing) dyslexia and related conditions such as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, attention difficulties and dyspraxia.
Hosted by local Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator, Randee Garretson, of dyslexia correction, etc., Ronald D. Davis will present a two-hour lecture in Tampa, Florida to inform parents and educators on his breakthrough methods. The program will cover Ron’s fascinating history, how he developed his methods, and will examine issues including how dyslexics think, how dyslexia develops, how dyslexics learn best and how the condition can be corrected. The lecture will be held on June 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center. The lecture cost is $10 per attendee or $20 per family.
Pre-registration for the lecture is highly recommended. Register on-line at www.rondavislectures.com/
Review copies of The Gift of Dyslexia are available upon request. Ron Davis will be available for media interviews during his tour.
About dyslexia correction, etc.
dyslexia correction, etc. offers the Davis Dyslexia Correction® program to children and adults struggling with Dyslexia and other learning disabilities, including ADD, ADHD, math, and handwriting difficulties. For further information, please contact Randee Garretson at 813-956-0502, or on-line at www.dyslexiacorrection.com, www.dyslexia.com, or
www.rondavislectures.com/
Media Inquires:
Randee Garretson, 22435 Crows Nest Court, Lutz, FL 33549, 813-956-0502, randee.garretson@
