On-line assessment
Gift of Dyslexia book

 
 




Gifted Dyslexic offers cutting edge one-to-one intervention for correcting learning difficulties. We also offer innovative training for teachers in order to accelerate literacy for all learners, while preventing learning difficulties from arising in the first place.

Ron D Davis, author of the Gift of Dyslexia

US Davis facilitator David Hirst shares his journey

The D-word documentary ‎- not made by us, but complements our understanding


Below is an advert from Apple which was called "Think Different." We have modified it slightly, by identifying which one of the innovators in the video have been, or would today be diagnosed with a "learning difficulty".

The Crazy Dyslexics

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward.

While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

...And most of them are Gifted Dyslexics!

Sir Ken Robinson: ‘Changing Education Paradigms'

In this beautiful video, the internationally acclaimed educationalist Sir Ken Robinson illustrates his vision for a new paradigm in education. This is exactly why Gifted Dyslexic exists; we share his vision and are convinced that the Davis methods provide a way to achieve Sir Ken's dream.

The Power of Dyslexia

Learning can be easy - and in fact it should
I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.

Confucius wrote these words about 2500 years ago in China and various leading human development and educational thinkers have essentially said the same since - though often using different words. We at Gifted Dyslexic talk about facilitating mastery, rather than teaching. Mastery goes beyond what schools normally think of as learning. Whatever you master, stays with you for the rest of your life - much like learning to ride a bicycle. You may get a bit rusty if you do not use your mastered skill for years, but you will not lose that skill - and you can brush it up without much effort. This is exactly what all learners need to achieve when learning the letters of the Alphabet - and in fact also when learning the most common words in the language. Only about 200 words make up over 50% of all we read - no matter what we are reading. Once these basic building blocks of literacy are fully mastered, literacy becomes easy.


"We never understand a thing so well, 
and make it our own, 
as when we have discovered it for ourselves."
Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650)
French mathematician, philosopher, 
"father of modern philosophy"

“Tell me and I forget, 
teach me and I may remember, 
involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Helped with the founding of the United States of America and 
changed the world with his discoveries about electricity
"Each time one prematurely teaches a child something 
he could have discovered for himself, 
that child is kept from inventing it 
and consequently from understanding it completely."
Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
Swiss psychologist, 
author of theory of cognitive development

„The only kind of learning 
which significantly influences behavior 
is self-discovered or self-appropriated learning
- truth that has been assimilated in experience“
Carl Rogers (1902–1987) 
One of the most influential psychologist in American history

„I never teach my pupils; 
I only attempt to provide the conditions 
in which they can learn“
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
German-born physicist, 
"one of the most prolific intellects in human history"

The dyslexic paradox

Some studies show that as much as 80% of inmates in correctional facilities have dyslexia, AD/HD or ADD. Other studies show that 30-40% of successful entrepreneurs (self made millionaires) have dyslexia, ADD or AD/HD. When you begin to understand the root of these conditions through the Davis approach, this is not surprising at all.

A real long-term solution

The aspect of the Davis approach which I personally find most exciting, is that we can now equip pre-primary and primary school teachers with the Davis tools to use in their general teaching practise with all children. We call this Davis Learning Strategies or Teaching made Easy. A study published in 2001 shows that special needs referrals were eliminated and the number of gifted learners were quadrupled in classes using our methods. We now have a simple strategy tool-kit for teachers which will reduce pressure on the teacher immensely, while improving literacy and motivation of learners, and at the same time putting a stop to the waste of talent in potentially dyslexic children.

The labelling conundrum

You may be looking for help in dealing with a specific condition, or you may not have a "label" for your condition. We do not really need a label for working with you, as we are dealing with the root cause of all the various labels. It is also important to remember that there is often an overlap between the various labels. Here is a short list of some symptoms/labels we deal with successfully.

  • Dyslexia (literacy issues - often labelled as phonological processing problems)
  • Dyspraxia (co-ordination problems - mainly physical, but recently often used for problems with organisation of thought - then called mental dyspraxia)
  • Dyscalculia (maths and numeracy problems)
  • ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder - problems with sustaining attention)
  • AD/HD (hyperactivity - often with a number of behavioural issues)
  • Asperger's syndrome (mild autism)
Various options for you

There are a number of options available to you, depending on the level of involvement you are prepared to take on, and what you can afford.
We like to think that the Davis programme is actually available to practically anyone, as you are not really restricted by finances. All you need is the book, some plasticine, time and patience. Alternatively, you can sign up for a workshop to give you more confidence in applying the procedures in the book, or book in a professional one-to-one intervention.

 Do-It-Yourself options (not as certain outcome). Working on someone else's dyslexia, or get someone else to work with you on yours:  In UK        In SA
 Doing an on-line assessment  Free Free 
 DIY with the book and some clay  £15.00 R 200 
 DIY using a Davis kit with everything needed £120.00  R 1 500
 The Gift of Dyslexia workshop (4 days)  £560.00  R 5 000
     
Professional options (more certain outcome):   In UK  In SA
A professional GD assessment (2-3 hrs)   £110  R 1 000
Literacy Made Easy (dyslexia) 5 days   £2,100  R 22 000
Maths Made Easy (dyscalculia) 8 days   £3,360   R 35 200
Attention Made Easy (ADD and AD/HD) 8 days  £3,360  R 35 200
Co-ordination Made Easy (dyspraxia)  5 days   £2,100  R 22 000
Early Learning Made Easy (prevention) 30 hours   £2,100  R 22 000
Handwriting Made Easy (dysgraphia)  5 days   £2,100  R 22 000
Teaching Made Easy - DLS for a teacher (2 days)   £390.00  R 3 500
The Gift of Dyslexia workshop (4 days)   £560.00 R 5 000

Here are some useful links to Davis sites:

A useful site for help with symbol mastery, including a PDF for trigger-word definitions:
http://www.symbolmastery.com

The international Davis Dyslexia site:
http://www.dyslexia.com/

Davis Learning foundation - the UK and Africa Davis site, run by Richard:
http://www.davislearningfoundation.org.uk/

The Davis Learning Strategies site (for early intervention in the classroom):
http://www.davislearn.com/

Why tyrannosaurus but not if - Richard Whitehead's free online course. Please forward this to people you think might benefit from getting a little insight into the Davis approach:
http://www.whytyrannosaurusbutnotif.com/

For an online assessment on Ron Davis' website in California:
Click here

  

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