On the left there is a boy sitting under a series of random letters looking angry and confused. On the right, the boy is being hugged by an adult looking triumphant with an organized series of letters reading - A, B, C, D. Between them is a large title stating - Overcoming Learning Disabilities, ADD, ADHD, and Dyslexia.

Overcoming Learning Disabilities
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Frequently Asked Questions about Learning Disabilities

What services are offered at OVERCOMING LEARNING DISABILITIES?

Answer: We offer the following Davis Programs provided by a Licensed Davis Facilitator for clients aged 8 to 80 + years:

Davis Dyslexia Correction® Program - for clients with reading, writing and spelling, and difficulties with basic learning disabilities. This program deals with the ‘root’ cause and helps the client to learn how they can gain control over it. This program is detailed in The Gift of Dyslexia.

Davis Attention Mastery™ Program - for clients with learning disabilities, ADD or ADHD, attention/focus problems, behavior issues or trouble with life skills like like organization, sequencing, order vs disorder, social relationships and consquences. This program is detailed in The Gift of Learning.

Davis Math Mastery™ Program - I like to call this "math for picture thinkers". This program is for clients who are experiencing difficulty with math. This program is detailed in The Gift of Learning.

Davis Reading Program for Young Learners™ - for younger clients and parents. This program is ideal for families wishing to prevent learning difficulties or for families with a younger child just beginning to struggle.

Dysgraphia Correction - - a separate one day program, because poor handwriting can have several causes. All Davis Dyslexia Program Facilitators are trained to identify the cause(s) of Dysgraphia and use the appropriate procedures to eliminate the problem

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What does the word Dyslexia mean?

Answer: This is where the confusion for people trying to understand learning disabilities, and why the Davis programs use the word dyslexia begins. The parts of the word “Dyslexia” are Latin and Greek. "dys" meaning “difficulty” or “impaired”; think of it as “does not” or “cannot”. “lexicon” meaning “language”, gives us “lexia” meaning “written or spoken word”. So Dyslexia means someone who has “difficulty understanding the written or spoken word in all areas or in all of its forms”. Dyslexia was the first name given, the ‘root’ name, for the symptoms of learning disabilities, and this is way the Davis programs use it.

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Can Learning Disabilities, ADD, ADHD & Dyslexia be cured?

Answer: Ron Davis and Facilitators are not claiming we do. What we do is to help learning disabilities and dyslexia to be understood by dyslexics themselves and overcome. Wanting to “cure” a person of dyslexia/learning disability is like asking “can we cure someone of their smile or their sense of humor?” - what makes a person unique. Learning Disabilities, ADD, ADHD and Dyslexia are not the result of a brain injury or neurological defect. Dyslexia is a good thing that is misunderstood. Davis programs are not a “cure”. They are understanding and success, and that is far bigger thing.

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Why are Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia a gift?

Answer:To others, people with Learning Disabilities, ADD, ADHD and Dyslexia seem so bright and skilled in many areas of their lives and at the same time stuck with the “simple things” like reading and paying attention, that this is baffling. What is their skill based on? Ron Davis explains this is in his book as a “perceptional talent.” Dyslexics are visual, multi-dimensional thinkers. They are intelligent, intuitive, highly creative and very inquisitive. They excel at hands-on learning and doing because they think primarily in pictures.


"Creativity is the way dyslexics learn."

Creativity is the way dyslexics learn, the way they think. If someone is highly skilled and creative we call them gifted. Dyslexics are using this creativity to think, learn and do, so Ron Davis called his book The Gift of Dyslexia. Many dyslexics have gone on to have outstanding careers, once they have come to understand their creative abilities that came from their dyslexia. For more on how some dyslexics have used their creativity and why they are gifted, see Famous Dyslexics.

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What is the Davis™ Method?

Answer:The Davis approach is not based on tutoring or drill, but actually resolves the root causes of problems experienced with language-based learning difficulties, dyslexia, ADD and ADHD. Ron Davis points out that, dyslexics think primarily in pictures (non-linear), not words. That dyslexia, ADD and ADHD is the result of the thinking process. When dyslexics are confused or frustrated as children, some begin to experience distorted perceptions, such as reversals of letters. Others experience attention problems and develop learning blocks that hamper their progress.

The skill that is needed to do well in education is the ability to understand symbols, letters, numerals, written words and their use in speech, reading and writing. This is linear thinking, one thing following another (sequence). Example: C1…A2…T3. All words are lineal so, lineal thinking is what is needed to do well in education.

"Dyslexia, ADD and ADHD is the result of the thinking process."

These problems that prevent learning can be corrected. Children and adults can learn to recognize and control the mental state that results in learning blocks and attention problems, thus eliminating this problem. Once you have awareness of the reason for a problem and “correct it”, the problem ceases to exist. The Davis programs shows a person what is “getting in the way” of their learning, then how to understand their own process of learning, to overcome existing barriers. Then gives simple tools to help them to identify and avoid future barriers before they arise.

This approach is unique as the program gives a person an understanding and solutions for learning disabilities, and lifelong success with learning and academics studies.

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Why seek the help of a Davis Facilitator?

Answer: If you are a parent of a child with learning disabilities ask yourself these questions:

1. Does my child have a problem at school, do they have an I.E.P. in school, can they focus, are they reading, spelling, write, doing math and understand what is being asked of them when it comes to academic studies, at grade level?
 

2. What is that problem? For example: They can’t focus, go blank. Can’t remember. Can’t concentrate or pay attention. They get confused by letters, numbers, words, sequences, or verbal explanations. They can’t do what is being asked of them when it comes to academic studies, at grade level. (For more see 37 Common Characteristics of Dyslexia).
 

3. What would life look like without these problems?


It is difficult for a parent to replicate the comprehensive program that is offered by a Davis Facilitators. Some parents may have the time, ability and willingness to take their child through a program themselves. However, many parents report that because of other methods attempted, their child refuses to work co-operatively with them or others..

A Licensed Davis Facilitator is trained to recognize the various aspects of learning disabilities, ADD and ADHD and proved solutions that work. A Facilitator is a neutral person for a child and does not come with the frustration, of trying and failing, the emotional history of “I can’t”. Although the book does take the reader through the basics of a Davis Correction® Programs, Davis Facilitators offer many more in depth procedures which benefit the client in multiple ways. This furthers the client’s personal understanding and helps internalize the experience of the program. This then becomes a new history of “I can”.

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How long does it take?

Answer: A Davis program is one week approximately, 30 hours, of one on one work with a Facilitator. At the end of the week in the afternoon, a support person (usually a parent) comes in and is trained in how to do the follow up work with the client. Depending on results from the initial program, a subsequent Davis program of Attention Mastery (for ADD or ADHD) or Math Mastery might be recommended. However, sometimes the reading program itself eliminates the causes of the Math & ADD/ADHD issues. For more see Getting Started/Scheduling.

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Who is Ron Davis?

Answer: Ronald D. Davis established the Reading Research Council’s Dyslexia Correction Center in 1982. He was labeled “retarded” until his early teens and was functionally illiterate until age 38. After completing technical courses, he became a successful engineer, artist, and businessman. Ron began to read at the age of 38 as a result of discoveries he made concerning his exceptional abilities (1980). Because he personally experienced the difficulties associated with dyslexia and learning disabilities, he designed the programs to address the struggles experienced by so many people worldwide. His books, The Gift of learning and The Gift of Dyslexia, have been published in major languages and the approach is used in more than 40 countries throughout the world. He continues to research the application of his techniques to other conditions. Learn more about Ron Davis...

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