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The
purpose of this program is to empower children and adults who experience
difficulties with reading, writing, math, language and attention. They
gain a new understanding of their personal thinking and perceptual
processes, learn self-help methods for controlling perception, as well
as skills for eliminating confusions regarding language symbols.
The Davis Program is based on the finding that many individuals who exhibit
dyslexia or learning disability symptoms have a natural and innate
ability to shift or alter their mental and physical perceptions. They
can use this perceptual ability to facilitate creativity, improve
physical performance, enhance thinking, and resolve confusions. However,
when they attempt to use this same ability to understand language or
other symbols, it can cause unwanted perceptual distortions and
noticeable disorientations that affect vision, hearing, balance, motor
skills, time sense, and speech.
Individuals
who possess and use this thinking style can be shown how to control
their perceptions so disorientations no longer interfere with their
ability to learn. During the Program, clients gain experience using this
skill as they begin to clear up many of their basic confusions regarding
letters, words, numerals, and other language symbols. They also learn to
use special study skills uniquely adapted to their way of learning,
thinking, and perceiving.
What
the Davis Program provides is knowledge and experience with self-help
tools. These tools, when properly used, will unlock a person’s
learning potential, as well as accelerate and enhance the effectiveness
of other forms of assistance.
To
ensure that the Program will be effective and beneficial, potential
clients must first be evaluated for certain perceptual abilities. The
evaluation also takes into account how aware they are of their learning
difficulties and their level of motivation to correct them. Maturity is
a factor in these qualifications, so children under age 7 generally do
not qualify.
All
counseling is done on a one-to-one basis and designed to fit the
individual needs of a particular client. Generally the Program includes
all or most of the following:
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Interviews and assessments to determine strengths; and to set Program goals.
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Training in self-help techniques for controlling perceptions and turning
off disorientations.
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Self-awareness tools for reducing stress, and controlling energy levels.
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Training in how to use creativity as a learning tool to overcome individual
and academic weakness.
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Mastery of confusing letters, symbols, numerals, and words.
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Time telling and time management skills.
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Study and reference skills.
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Balance and coordination improvement.
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Speech and hearing skills.
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Reading and/or math enhancement.
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Follow-up recommendations and tutor referrals.
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Spelling and handwriting improvement strategies.
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Support-awareness tools for family, tutors, teachers, school staff, etc.
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Three two-hour post-program review sessions.
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The Davis approach is not based on tutoring or drill, but actually resolves
the root causes of problems experienced by individuals
with language-based learning difficulties.
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The intensive portion of the Program requires approximately 30 hours of
attendance by the client, including 4 to 8 hours with family members
when applicable. These hours are generally scheduled over 5 consecutive
days, 6 hours a day. The usual schedule is a Monday through Friday, with
daily hours of 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00. We are able to adjust the daily
hours to fit your needs, please ask.
Support persons may be a spouse, parent, grandparent, tutor, teacher, or friend.
Support persons should plan to attend the last afternoon session
(generally after lunch on Friday) to learn how to be a better help to
the client after the Program is completed.
Parent’s of school age clients doing the Program need to be present on the first
day for registration and initial interviews, unless an assessment has
been completed prior to the start of the program. They also need to be
present for support training and follow-up recommendations on the final
afternoon.
Support
training is a briefing of what was done during the Program, and
instructions on how to help someone use the Davis method at school,
work, play, and in life.
Up
to three two-hour post-Program sessions are included in the cost of the
Program, and are in addition to the intensive program hours. These
sessions are to be scheduled by the client as needed.
The
Program is a new start, not a final solution. Positive change and
improvement in basic skills are expected during the Program. Following
the Program, continued use of the Program’s Symbol Mastery tools and
techniques are still needed to master words and concepts.
Tutoring
after the Program is highly recommended once a week or more in order to
remediate still existing gaps, weakness in basic skills, and to improve
academic performance. This will maintain the pace of academic and
personal improvement experienced during the Program.
Detailed
follow-up recommendations, worksheets, and reference manuals are
provided at the completion of the Program.
Support
persons and the client are encouraged and welcome to call whenever there
is any difficulty regarding Orientation or Symbol Mastery skills. Often
a brief phone conversation will resolve any difficulties. The three
post-Program sessions are for occasions when a brief phone consultation
is insufficient, or when there is a need to fully review any of the
skills and techniques learned during the Program.
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Ability
to control disorientations and perceptual distortions
intentionally.
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Improved
ability to maintain and focus attention.
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Reduction
of learning disability symptoms.
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Improved
ability to read, study, and learn.
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Increased
tolerance for confusion.
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Greater
confidence, personal awareness, and self-esteem.
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