The Dyslexic Reader 2008 - Issue 48
The Dyslexic Reader 2008 - Issue 48
The Dyslexic Reader 2008 - Issue 48
~
Dys•lex´•ic Read´•er
VOL. 48 Davis Dyslexia Association International ISSUE 2 • 2008
In the Mail:
“rich and famous.” College for that semester!
Thank you! I love reading my Dyslexic Reader
A majority of and hearing about all the wonderful
A Dream Come True! students and teachers success stories. You are the most
Dear Dyslexic Reader, at Berklee are remarkable people, who give us all
Ten years ago, February 1997, Melissa dyslexic and have hope of the future. My daughter has
was a 7-year-old second grader who allergies. Melissa her future, just the way she wanted it.
learned to read with Symbol Mastery. found the perfect I thank you from my husband, from
Previous to this she had informed us home for herself, where everyone me, and from Melissa.
that she was going to grow up to be a thinks a million miles a minute, where Sincerely,
“rich and famous” musician and that everyone is driven towards their goals, Jill Domosh, Derry, New Hampshire
she was going to attend Berklee College and where trying to stay healthy is
of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. a priority–“the gift of dyslexia” at Ten Years Later ...
Thanks to Ron, Charlotte, Lexi, Brian its best. Dear Dyslexic Reader,
and everyone else associated with the Melissa started at Berklee in the More than ten years have passed since
Reading Research Council, Melissa is fall of 2007, finishing the semester my son, Himanshu, did the basic
attending Berklee, has been paid to with a 3.86 GPA. This has earned her program for dyslexia correction. My
sing, and has the chance to become a place on the Dean’s List at Berklee brother, Sanjay Odak, who lives in
Copyright 2002 Randy Glasbergen. www.glasbergen.com
Illinois, enrolled him on my behalf.
The basic course took place in Raleigh,
North Carolina in June of 1997. You all
were very helpful and considerate. The
facilitator was very helpful to my son.
From that point on progress was
slow but steady. Himanshu completed
10th grade with an average of 63%.
Then, the examination board granted
him 30 extra minutes to complete his
written papers. But today, he has
reached the 6th and final semester
and is about to receive a Diploma in
Computer Engineering. As parents, we
are proud of what he has achieved at
20 years of age. He has even learned
to ride a motorbike.
I’d like to thank you all for all
that you have done personally, and
(Cont’d on p. 11)
The Dyslexic Reader is published quarterly by Davis Dyslexia Association International (DDAI), 1601 Bayshore Hwy.,
Suite 260, Burlingame, CA 94010 USA. Tel. +1 (650) 692-7141.
OUR GOALS are to increase worldwide awareness about the positive aspects of dyslexia and related learning styles;
and to present methods for improving literacy, education and academic success. We believe that all people’s abilities
and talents should be recognized and valued, and that learning problems can be corrected. EDITORIAL BOARD:
Laura Zink de Diaz, Alice Davis & Abigail Marshall. DESIGN: Gideon Kramer. SUBSCRIPTIONS: one year $25 in US,
add $5 in Canada; add $10 elsewhere. BACK ISSUES: send $8.00 to DDAI. SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS:
We welcome letters, comments and articles. Mail to DDAI at the above address. VIA FAX: +1 (650) 692-7075
VIA E-MAIL: [email protected] INTERNET: www.dyslexia.com
The opinions and views expressed in articles and letters are not necessarily those of DDAI. Davis™, Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis
Orientation Counseling®, and Davis Learning Strategies® are trademarks of Ronald D. Davis. Copyright © 2006 by DDAI, unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved.
W
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 3
A New
hen I asked, at about eight a group of seniors who have the
years of age, my mother said wonderful capacity to look past the
to me (I hear her words as stammers and stuttering and listen
Sense of
though spoken just now) “Roger, instead to the feelings. Though I some-
remember to always do your how have no sense of rhythm or beat
Direction
very best.” I had always and must memorize things like tempo
believed that Mom meant and flow, I write poetry and love it.
that I should give everything Here, let me close with one, and thank
my best effort; however, lately I Ron again for his great book.
have seen her words in a new way. I
believe she was saying, “Do your best By Roger Fallow Times
in spite of your handicap.” Fortunately Honzik
for me, I misunderstood her words and By Roger Honzik
thus I have given reading and writing What unsung words still linger round
my very best effort, all with pitifully What notes are left to play
few positive results. As morning breezes yawn and stir
Years and years of knowing I was was taunted! It might be possible to And shuffle leaves that stray
less than the rest, yet ever putting my read. One day it might be possible for Sweet words are few
best foot forward, here I stand. It has me to stand before a mirror, and read And fewer are my dreams
been a long and mostly painful struggle this note with some even flow. Of what laid begging at my door
to read as well as a third or fourth I bought The Gift of Dyslexia and Not long ago it seems
grader and as yet I have not cleared have read it once. I will go back and
that hurdle. My writing has come a read it again a few more times to be Yet still I ponder this and that
long way because of something that sure I understand the words. Then I will And sift for things of rhyme
That they might help me understand
see about solving my deficiencies. This
“All these years of trying This barren bit of time
should make for a very interesting year.
to become smart enough to I just need to thank Ron Davis for I’ll not bow to emptiness
read! I’m not stupid, as I his book and let him know that even Nor cry as though in pain
was taunted! It might be from just a first reading he has given For life and words are given me
possible to read.” me a better sense of direction than I And rhymes will come again
ever thought I would have. For now I’ll sort those scrubby words
happened early on. Dad would always Before closing, I’d like to say And gather some to use
shush me because I was so slow to sort that my personal approach to self And fashion them as bits of joy
my thoughts and put them into “verbal improvement over the past seven or Or at least some simple muse
order.” Because of his impatience I eight years has been to write. I joined
taught myself a game that went like
Charlotte Foster–Woman of the Year (cont’d from p. 1) and Sonny, a Golden Retriever. She
jokes that her hobby is keeping up
learning and communications. serves on the Bernardsville Planning with the shedding at her house!
She is a member of Board. A very busy woman! Since their When Charlotte accepted her
Bernardsville’s Historic Preservation two sons are now grown, Charlotte and award she made a stirring speech,
Advisory Committee, is a her husband, Bill, are “empty-nesters,” which she has graciously allowed us
Bernardsville Council Member and except for their pets – a cat, Merlin, to reprint below.
an avid reader and was recently named her mentor. Haylee will be competing
Regional Champion of the Northern for the State title on June 20 in
Youth Mat Club for wrestling. Hagerstown, Maryland. Good luck
Among Haylee’s duties as Miss Haylee!
Frostburg Dance Outstanding Teen will As part of the selection process,
be that of promoting and communicating Haylee submitted a statement to the
her platform. She plans to visit public judges of the Miss Frostburg Dance
schools and help them recognize Outstanding Teen contest. Below is
dyslexia as a gift rather than as a the essay that persuaded the judges
learning disability and to introduce to select her.
them to methods they can use to help
Haylee’s brother, Hunter, and the
children with dyslexia unlock their work he did with his Davis Facilitator,
gift. Marcia has graciously agreed to be Marcia Maust, inspired her project.
By Haylee Baer
International
Davis Dyslexia
Recent Recommendations From
Correction
Providers
®
The Lazy Readers’ Book Club
The Davis Dyslexia By Laura Zink de Diaz and Danny Brassell
Correction program is
now available from more Because I subscribe to The Lazy Readers’
than 450 Facilitators Book Club, each month I receive an email
around the world.
For updates, call:
from its founder, Danny Brassell, with a list
(888) 805-7216 [Toll free] of books he recommends for reluctant readers
or (650) 692-7141 or visit and those who just plain don’t have time for
www.dyslexia.com/ reading. (He knows we’re not lazy, just busy
providers.htm
or in need of encouragement!) Since we
Argentina haven’t published Danny’s more recent
Silvana Ines Rossi recommendations, here’s a sampling, with
Buenos Aires
+54 (114) 865 3898
Danny’s comments on each.
Australia
You can read lots more recommendations
Brenda Baird
at the Lazy Readers’ website,
Brisbane www.lazyreaders.com. There you’ll find
+61 (07) 3299 3994 the list of Danny’s picks, updated monthly, as
Sally Beulke
Melbourne
well as archives of past selections by month,
+61 (03) 572 51752 reading level, and page count.
Anne Cupitt If you purchase books at Amazon.com
Scarness, Queensland
+61 (074) 128-2470
through links at the Lazy Readers’ website,
Aurora and Boris Touch the Sky
Mary Davie
Bookends (www.bookends.org) will receive a
Caringbah NSW donation. Bookends is a nonprofit organization by Jeffrey A. Mazurowski
+61 (02) 9524 3837 devoted to increasing children’s access to books, Children - 22 pages
Jan Gorman
Eastwood / Sydney
as well as community service awareness. Publisher: My World Press
+61 (02) 9804 1184 Danny’s recommendations are always ISBN-10: 0966215311
Bets Gregory organized into categories: AD, for adults; YA, ISBN-13: 978-0966215311
Gordon NSW
+61 (4) 1401 3490
for young adults; CH, for children’s books.
“A sweet little book that my children
Gail Hallinan
He always lists a page count and some brief
enjoy. In the land of Oris, Aurora and
DLS Workshop comments, as below. Danny usually posts
Presenter-Mentor
her brother Boris fly like birds, slide
Naremburn /Sydney
about 10 recommendations per month, three
down moonbeams and explore all parts
+61 (02) 9405 2800 or four per category. At the website, you can
of the sky–and that’s why the Northern
Barbara Hoi sign up to receive recommendations by email,
Mosman / Sydney just as I do!
Lights are known as the Aurora Borealis.”
+61 (02) 9968 1093
Eileen McCarthy
Manly / Sydney
+61 (02) 9977 2061 It’s All About Me – Personality
Marianne Mullally Quizzes For You And Your Friends
Crows Nest, Sydney
+61 (02) 9436 3766
by Karen Phillips
Jayne Pivac Young adults - 70 pages
Mordialloc / Melbourne
+61 (342) 030 54 05
Publisher: Klutz
John Reilly
ISBN-10: 1570542252
Berala / Sydney ISBN-13: 978-1570542251
+61 (02) 9649 4299
Heidi Rose “I honestly have no idea how I have over-
Pennington /Adelaide
+61 (08) 8240 1834
looked putting this book on a prior edition
of the Lazy Readers’ Book Club, as this was
Joanne Zietsch
Curtin ACT my favorite book of 2006. If you are a
+61 (0) 2 6282 1225 teacher, you HAVE to buy this book. It’s
Austria applicable for all ages, but teenagers love it
Annette Dietrich the most. It is filled with funny personality
Wien
+43 (01) 888 90 25
quizzes that delight students. Parents and
Gabriele Doetsch
teens: BUY THIS BOOK. Great fun! I’d
Leutasch/Innsbruck also like to plug the publisher, Klutz, which
+43 (5) 214 64 57 publishes a lot of high-quality books.”
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 7
Austria (cont’d)
Jacinta Fennessy
Cloudy with a Chance
of Meatballs Wien +43 (01) 774 98 22
by Judi Barrett Ina Barbara Hallermann
Riezlern +43 5517 20012
Marika Kaufmann
Children - 32 pages
Publisher: Aladdin Lochau
ISBN-10: 0689707495 +43 (05574) 446 98
ISBN-13: 978-0689707490 Bahrain
Sameera Sadiq Al Baharna
Manama
“One of the most popular read alouds +973 555 201
in any classroom or bedroom, Barrett’s Belgium
Thera Brugghe
Roeselare
delightful tale of the town of
ChewandSwallow is sure to interest +32 (051) 24 63 40
young children in a place where food Ann Devloo-Delva
literally falls from the sky. This should Veurne +32 (058) 31 63 52
Inge Lanneau
Beernem
be in every home library.”
+32 (050) 33 29 92
Peggy Poppe
Antwerpen
+32 (474) 50 23 32
Adventures of the Sky Kids Viki Vandevenne
Bonheiden
by Keven J. Christopherson +32 (0473) 30 41 51
Children - 58 pages Brazil
Publisher: PublishAmerica Ana Lima
Rio De Janeiro
+55 (021) 2295-1505
ISBN-10: 1413765149
Bulgaria
ISBN-13: 978-1413765144
Daniela Boneva
Ruse
“Subtitled Lost Treasure of Kolob
Canyon, this is a really easy chapter +35 (988) 531 95 06
Canada
book that boys seem especially drawn to,
as it deals with camping, lost treasures Wayne Aadelstone-Hassel
and Indians. This reminded me of the North Vancouver
+1 (604) 988-7680
simple books I read when I was a cub
Jean-Pierre Arbour
scout growing up. Why aren’t there more Ottawa, Ontario
books like this nowadays? I guess I am +1 (613) 792-4068
starting to sound like a reminiscent +1 (866) 792-4067 (Toll-Free)
Raylene Barnhill
Fredericton, New Brunswick
curmudgeon.”
+1 (506) 458-0494
Darlene Brown
Smithers/Prince Rupert
+1 (250) 847-3463
The Alphabet From A to Y Paddy Carson
With Bonus Letter Z Edmonton/Alberta
+1 (780) 489-6225
Dyslexia Resources Canada
by Steve Martin & Roz Chast
Children - 64 pages Shelley Cotton
Sharon Roberts
Waterloo, Ontario
Publisher: Flying Dolphin Press
ISBN-10: 0385516622 +1 (519) 746-8422
ISBN-13: 978-0385516624 +1 (800) 981-6433 (Toll-Free)
Sandy Farrell
Hudson, Quebec
+1 (450) 458-4777
“In this delightful alphabet book with
Renée Figlarz
illustrations offered by one of my
favorite New Yorker cartoonists, Roz Montreal, Quebec
Chast, Martin creates zany tongue +1 (514) 815-7827
Sher Goerzen
Maple Ridge/Vancouver
twisters to entice young readers to learn
each letter of the alphabet. Terrific fun +1 (604) 290-5063
Gerry Grant
that prompts kids to beg for repeated
read alouds.” Supervisor-Specialist
Workshop Presenter
Waterloo/Toronto
+1 (519) 498-2424
PAGE 8 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Canada (cont’d)
Corinne Graumans
Rowing to the Rescue
Medicine Hat, Alberta The Story of Ida Lewis
+1 (403) 528-9848 by Doris Licameli
Sue Hall
West Vancouver
Young Adult - 77 pages
+1 (604) 921-1084 Publisher: Lulu.com
D’vorah Hoffman
Toronto
ISBN-10: 1847286682
+1 (416) 398-6779 ISBN-13: 978-1847286680
Sue Jutson
Vancouver, B.C.
“There are several things I like about this
+1 (604) 732-1516 little book. First of all, my mother is a
Mary Ann Kettlewell lighthouse fanatic, and I can see how this
London, Ontario
+1 (519) 652-0252
book would be great for any parent or
Carol Livermore
teacher to read with children before or
Ottawa, Ontario after a lighthouse visit. More importantly,
+1 (800) 394-1535 [Toll Free] I love books that feature teenage-girl
Julie Locke
Truro, Nova Scotia
protagonists who rock, and 15-year-old
+1 (902) 895-9015 Ida Lewis is such a character (and she is a
Yuko Kimura McCulloch, Ph.D. real-life heroine who lived in 19th century
Vancouver, B.C.
+1 (604) 222-2258
Rhode Island). A delightful quick read.”
Helen McGilivray
Oakville/Toronto
+1 (905) 464-4798
Susan Nikolic-Vicentic
Newmarket/Toronto
Froggy's First Kiss
+1 (905) 953-0033 by Jonathan London
Maureen O’Sullivan Children - 32 pages
Newmarket, Ontario
+1 (905) 853-3363
Publisher: Puffin (Reprint edition,
Tina Panaritis 1999)
Montreal, Quebec ISBN-10: 0140565701
+ 1 (514) 690-9164
Sharon Permack
ISBN-13: 978-0140565706
Thornhill, Ontario
+1 (905) 882-9292 “I have discovered that my best test
Rocky Point Academy audience includes my own two
Stacey Borger-Smith
Lawrence Smith, Jr.
children, and they love this cute little
Calgary +1 (403) 685-0067 book that would make a perfect read
+1 (866) 685-0067 (Toll-Free) aloud for Valentine’s Day. Froggy has
Kendra Rodych
Saskatoon/Saskatchewan
a crush on Frogilina, but his heart is
+1 (306) 979-7323 reserved for someone else who gives
Catherine Smith him kisses.”
Oakville/Toronto
+1 (905) 844-4144
1-888-569-1113 toll-free
Edwina Stone
Whitehorse, Yukon Snoozers: 7 Short Bedtime
+1 (867) 393-4489
Bernice Taylor
Stories for Lively Little Kids
Riverview, NB by Sandra Boynton
+1 (506) 871-5674 Children - 18 pages
Tracy Trudell
Wallacetown, Ontario
Publisher: Little Simon
+1 (519) 762-2001 ISBN-10: 0689817746
Kim J. Willson-Rymer ISBN-13: 978-0689817748
Mississauga, Ontario
+1 (905) 825-3153
Cheryl Wood
“Maybe it is because I am a father of two
Huntsville, Ontario young children, but I think Sandra Boynton
+1 (705) 783-2763 is just about one of my favorite authors
China in the world. Her books are always
Yvonne Wong Ho Hing
Hong Kong
wonderfully illustrated and filled with
+852-7323-7702 funny rhymes and mischief. I’d recommend
Livia Wong any books Boynton writes (my children
Hong Kong especially love Dinos to Go).”
+852-2810-0282
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 9
Colombia
Famous Dyslexics Remember Laura Zink de Díaz
Bogotá +57 (1) 704-4399
Costa Rica
Maria Elena Guth Blanco
Albert Einstein in his John Chambers is CEO of
own words: “I worked Cisco Systems. In 2004, he San Jose
most of the time in the said his biggest regret was +506 296-4078
physical laboratory, that he hadn’t shared his Marcela Rodriguez
Alajuela
+506 442-8090
fascinated by the direct dyslexia earlier. One day
Cyprus
contact with experience. in the mid-1990s, Cisco
The hitch in this was, of Systems held a “bring your Alexis Mouzouris
course, the fact that one child to work” day. A little Limassol
+357 25 382 090
had to cram all this stuff
Ecuador
girl started to ask Chambers
Ana Magdalena Espin
into one’s mind for the exams, whether a question, but she had trouble; the more
one liked it or not. This coercion had such she tried the harder it was, until she burst Vargas
a deterring effect [on me] that, after I had into tears and said, “I have a learning Ambato
passed the final examination, I found the disability.” Chambers’ perfect answer: +593 (2) 854 281
Nora Cristina Garza Díaz
Ambato
consideration of any scientific problems “So do I – take your time.” That night the
distasteful for an entire year. It is nothing parents emailed their thanks, and others +593 (3) 282 5998
short of a miracle that the modern encouraged him to share his experiences, Carmensol Herdoíza
methods of instruction have not yet which he did. According to “How Cisco’s Ambato
+593 (3) 284 9344
entirely strangled the holy curiosity of CEO Works the Crowd” (Business Week,
Cristina Mariela Lara
Salazar
inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside Oct. 22, 2006) Chambers’ dyslexia caused
from stimulation, stands mainly in need him considerable pain growing up. But it Ambato
of freedom; without this it goes to wreck also gave him an amazing work ethic. + 593 (2) 854 281
Inés Gimena Paredes Ríos
Ambato
and ruin without fail. It is a very grave When making speeches, he focuses on the
mistake to think that the enjoyment of big picture, avoiding details that would +593 (2) 854 281
Finland
seeing and searching can be promoted by bore listeners. He memorizes speeches and
means of coercion and a sense of duty. To prepares more carefully than most. As a Elisabeth Helenelund
the contrary, I believe it would be possible result he sounds in control of the facts, Borga +358 400 79 54 97
to rob even a healthy beast of prey of its possessed of conviction and vision. These France
Christine Bleus
Saint Jean de Gonville/
voraciousness, if it were possible, with the days Chambers communicates with his
aid of a whip, to force it to devour 64,000 employees via video-blogs posted Genève +33 450 56 40 48
continuously, even when not hungry.” on the company’s intranet. Chambers likes Corinne Couelle
vlogging because it “allows me to share Lyon +33 (04) 78 88 65 52
Jennifer Delrieu
From "Autobiographical Notes," in Albert
Voisins le Bretonneux/Paris
Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist, Paul Schilpp, what’s on my mind in a very candid way,
+33 (01) 30 44 19 91
ed. (1951), pp.17-19 © 1951 by the Library of and then gain immediate feedback.” Then
Living Philosophers, Inc. too, he’d rather vlog than write! Françoise Magarian
Legny/Lyon
+33 (0474) 72 43 13
Robert Benton, movies. My father would come home at Carol Nelson
Boulogne-Billancourt/Paris
+33 (0) 1 49 09 12 33
director and screenwriter, night and say not, ‘Have you done your
Odile Puget
grew up in Waxahachie, homework?’ but rather, ‘Let’s go to the
Texas in the 1930s and movies.’ Movies could hold my attention. Segny/Geneve
1940s. “I was dyslexic I could follow them.” Benton began his +33 (0) 450 418 267
before anybody knew career as an art director at Esquire Guilaine Batoz Saint-Martin
La Bastidonne/Marseille
+33 (0490) 08 98 56
what dyslexia was. I was Magazine. When he lost that job, he
Germany/Deutschland
called slow,” said Benton decided to write a movie, but since he was
Theresia Adler
in a 2003 interview with a poor speller, he asked his friend, David
director/writer, Nora Ephron. “It’s an awful Newman, to collaborate. Bannewitz
feeling to think of yourself as slow; it’s Together they wrote +49 (0351) 40 34 224
horrible.” Benton wrote the Academy the screenplay for Ellen Ebert
Ammern
+49 (03601) 813-660
Award-winning screenplays for the Bonnie and Clyde
Cornelia Garbe
movies Places in the Heart (1984) (1967). That screenplay
and Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). He was nominated for an Berlin +49 (030) 61 65 91 25
says movies saved him from isolation Academy Award. Benton Astrid Grosse-Mönch
Buxtehude
+49 (04161) 702 90 70
during childhood. “I learned strategies has been nominated for film
Anna-Maria Gunselmann
to cope with it, and I learned patience. awards nine times, and has
But my education was an education by won seven times! Hirschaid
+49 (954) 341 70 00
PAGE 10 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Germany/Deutschland
(cont’d) Down with
Das Legasthenie Institut
Ioannis Tzivanakis
Specialist Trainer
Fractions!?
Workshop Presenter By Laura Zink de Díaz
DDA-DACH Director Davis Facilitator in Bogotá, Colombia
Wilfried Bähr
Hamburg Some years ago, Dr. Dennis DeTurck made
+49 (040) 25 17 86 23
the following statement during a series of
Christine Heinrich
Schwäb Gmünd 60-second lectures at the University of
+49 (0717) 118 29 74 Pennsylvania: “Down with Fractions!” Dr.
Sonja Heinrich
Supervisor-Specialist
DeTurck is an award-winning mathematician,
DDA-DACH Director and today he’s the Dean of Arts
Garbsen/Hannover and Sciences at Penn.
+49 (040) 25 17 86 23
Kirsten Hohage
In January 2008 USA
Nürnberg Today recalled that event Some people think Dr.
+49 (0911) 54 85 234 and quoted DeTurck as DeTurck’s ideas about
Ingrid Huth fractions are crazy.
Berlin
saying, “Fractions have
+49 (0179) 896 8007 had their day, being
Mechtild Hylla useful for by-hand my vision go all blurry,
Kassel so I’m probably biased.
+49 (0561) 602 78 20
calculation, but in this
But I do recall heaving a
Christine Jacob
digital age, they’re as
Lörrach obsolete as Roman numerals.” great sigh of relief late in my
+49 (07621) 134 60 Wow! Roman numerals are finally elementary school career when we finally
Rita Jarrar stopped focussing so much on fractions and
München
obsolete? I’m delighted to hear it!
+49 (089) 821 20 30 Dr. Deturck isn’t exactly excited about moved on to decimals. I could “do fractions”
Inge Koch-Gassmann how much emphasis schools place on long back then, but they drove me to distraction.
Buggingen
+49 (07631) 23 29
division either. Actually, he doesn’t advocate Even today, for me, decimals are nearly
Angelika Kohn
doing entirely away with fractions. He just always significantly easier to work with.
Steinheim-Kleinbottwar thinks they’re complex enough that they should (Consider the source: I never dared take
+49 (07148) 66 08 be taught considerably later in the curriculum calculus!)
Marianne Kranzer
Königsfeld
–say, after calculus–and advocates teaching What do YOU think? Perhaps this
+49 (07725) 72 26 decimals first. He’s publishing a book, due ancient rhyme strikes a chord with you…
Anneliese Kunz-Danhauser out later this year, in which he discusses
Rosenheim
Multiplication is vexation
+49 (08031) 632 29
fractions, long division, calculating square Division is just as bad
Sabine La Due
roots, multiplying long numbers by hand and The rule of three doth puzzle me
Stuttgart various other issues relating to the teaching
+49 711 47 91 000
And fractions drive me mad!
of mathematics.
Gundula Patzlaff –Anonymous
Stuttgart
Many who read the USA Today article
+49 (0711) 23 64 86 0 have posted comments on the internet about (16th Century or earlier)
Margit Pleger Dr. Deturck’s ideas. Some think his ideas You can read the USA Today article
Wetter/Dortmund
+49 (02335) 84 87 60
about fractions are crazy. Others think he (“Professor: Fractions Should be Scrapped,”
Colette Reimann
may well have a point. I’m not only not a by Maureen Milford) at www.usatoday.com/
Landshut math expert, a field of numbers can make news/education/2008-01-23fractions_N.htm.
+49 (0871) 770 994
Ursula Rittler
Stuttgart
+49 (0711) 47 18 50 Imagination failed them
Phoebe Schafschetzy
Hamburg
+49 (040) 392 589 “This ‘telephone’ “The wireless music
Margarethe Schlauch- has too many box has no imaginable
Agostini
Volklingen
shortcomings to commercial value.
+49 (0689) 844 10 40 be seriously considered as a Who would pay for
Gabriela Scholter means of communication. a message sent to
Supervisor-Specialist The device is inherently of nobody in particular?”
Stuttgart
“640K ought to be
+49 (0711) 578 28 33
no value to us.” —David Sarnoff’s associates, in enough for anybody.”
Beate Tiletzek —Western Union internal response to his urgings to invest —Bill Gates, CEO of
Waldkraiburg
+49 (08638) 88 17 89
memo, 1876 in the radio in the 1920s Microsoft Corp., 1981
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 11
Germany/Deutschland
A Mom Remembers… (cont’d)
Andrea Toloczyki
Submitted by Raylene Barnhill, Davis Facilitator Havixbeck / Münster
in Fredericton NB, Canada. +49 (02507) 57 04 84
Ulrike von Kutzleben-Hausen
Dear Raylene: Deisslingen
+49 (07420) 33 46
Dr. Angelika Weidemann
As I reflect back on the year 2007, I just
wanted to let you know how much the Davis Ulm +49 (0731) 931 46 46
program has changed our life. Gabriele Wirtz
Stuttgart
+49 (0711) 55 17 18
Two years ago our family was in despair.
Greece
Homework was a
“I felt for the constant struggle and I Evagelia Apostolopoulou-
first time that would experience stress Trevor, rightfully proud to have completed Armaos
his Davis Dyslexia Correction Program. Patras +30 (261) 062 21 22
I wasn’t crazy at the end of my work
Zoe Deliakidou
and finally day knowing that I had and a professional second. Knowing that you Thessaloniki
that someone +30 2310 434510
or +30 6934 662438
to face homework after knew what I was going through was very
believed me.” supper. I can only comforting. I felt for the first time that I Irma Vierstra-Vourvachakis
imagine how Trevor felt wasn’t crazy and finally someone believed me. Rethymnon / Crete
+30 283105 8201
or 69766 40292
coming home everyday to face me as well as Now a year later and I can’t believe
Iceland
more work that he didn’t understand. how our family life has changed. Homework
I can still remember the words I used is no longer a nightmare but more importantly, Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir
Trevor feels good about himself and his stress Mosfellsbaer
+354 861-2537
and never knew how untrue those sentiments
Sigrún Jónina Baldursdóttir
were. I often said, “try harder,” “you do so level has decreased significantly.
know that word,” “you knew it yesterday” and He is no longer on a modified program Snaefellsbae
my favourite, “stop being so stubborn.” Not and is making A’s. He actually joined a drama +354 586 8180
Gudrún Benediktsdóttir
Hafnarfirdi
only was Trevor hearing this from his mother group this year. He
“My message to
but also at school. I’m not saying his teachers uses his tools +354 545 0103 or
anyone thinking everyday and is +354 822 0910
were mean, they were just misinformed (as was
about the Davis Gudbjörg Emilsdóttir
DLS Mentor
I) about how his learning disability affected comfortable telling
program would
his processing skills. We were all trying to do his teacher when he Kópavogur
be, “It is worth needs a break to get +354 554 3452
Hólmfridur Gudmundsdóttir
our best with what we knew at that time.
the journey.”
The turning point in our lives was his alignment. He Gardabae
November 2006 when I saw a small ad in the can tell me when his alignment is off which +354 895-0252
Sigurborg Svala
Gudmundsdóttir
Daily Gleaner. Ronnie and I had decided to is fantastic!
find a tutor for Trevor, even though I felt it My message to anyone thinking about Mosfellsbaer
wouldn’t really help. I will always remember the Davis program would be, “It is worth the +354 867 1928
Stefanía Halldórsdóttir Wade
Kopavogur
sitting at my dining room table reading the journey.” A journey it is as we work on Davis
paper and discovering your ad. I was hoping tools daily. You have to commit to the journey +354 564 2890
this was the sign I was praying for. but it is worth it. Not just academically, but Ingibjörg Ingolfsdóttir
Mosfellsbaer
+354 899-2747
I immediately went to your website and more importantly for your child’s self esteem
Sigrún Jensdóttir
completed the 37 Common Traits of Dyslexia. and your family’s well being.
Trevor exhibited most of the traits. After Thank you for bringing the Davis Mosfellsbaer
+354 897 4437
Program to Fredericton and for being you!
Valgerdur Jónsdóttir
meeting you and reading The Gift of Dyslexia,
I knew my prayers had been answered. DLS Presenter-Mentor
Kópavogur
–Susan (mother of 9-year-old Trevor)
+354 863 2005
I appreciated that you were a mom first
Sturla Kristjansson
In The Mail (continued from p. 2) DLS Presenter-Mentor
Hafnarfjordur
through your book and program. Back Thanks a lot, from the bottom of my +354 845 6956
then, we had a tough time educating heart for helping me help my son Himanshu. Jon Einar Haraldsson
Lambi
Akureyri +354 867 1875
Himanshu’s teachers and classmates. But Today, he also helps his father with his
today, everyone in India knows more about computer hardware business. Ásta Olafsdóttir
dyslexia. One of our very famous actors, has May God bless you all always for doing Vopnafjordur
+354 473-1164
Erla Olgeirsdóttir
recently made a very good film about an such good work.
eight-year-old boy who is dyslexic.* It shows Yours affectionately, Akranes +354 694 3339
what the boy and his parents went through –Sujata Bhatia, Mumbai, India Hugrún Svavarsdóttir
Mosfellsbær
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until he met a new art teacher who recognized * Editor’s Note: See “Taare Zameen Par Wins Film
his problem and helped the child. Awards in India”on page 22.
PAGE 12 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Iceland (cont’d)
Thorbjörg Sigurdardóttir
Six Years Later: A Mom’s Look Back
Reykjavík Submitted by Janet Confer
+354 698 7213
Margret Thorarinsdottir
Davis Facilitator in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Selfoss
+354-486-1188 Was it one of the the most
India challenging things I have ever
Carol Ann Rodrigues done? Yes. Was it difficult and
Mumbai
+91 (22) 2667 3649 or
draining at times? Yes. Was it
+91 (22) 2665 0174 worth it? Absolutely! The Davis
Ireland Program is absolutely brilliant
Anne Marie Beggs in its approach and I can say
Old Portmarnock/Dublin
+353 (86) 239-1545 first-hand, it works.
Paula Horan
Mullingar
I found myself the very proud mother of a
+353 44 934 1613 little boy who was having a difficult time in
Sister Antoinette Keelan
Dublin
school. He was never bad enough to warrant
+353 (01) 884 4996 the attention of the school, but never thrived
Aideen Tierney enough to work independently or live up to
Dublin
Israel
expectations. I noticed early on, long before
Luba Alibash
I could get anyone to admit to me that I was
Ramat Hasharon/Tel Aviv not crazy, that there was something not quite got before. It was as if I could see his brain
+972 (09) 772-9888 or
(052) 272-9532
right and that my son was struggling when working. The distant lost look in his eyes was
Mira Ashoosh he should not have been. I worked with him gone and he got it! He knew things I hadn’t
Kiron constantly, yet things didn’t improve. It wasn’t even worked on with him. It was as if all the
+972 (03) 635-0973
Goldie Gilad
until a very brave third grade teacher risked information of his entire lifetime was now at
Kfar Saba/Tel Aviv all to tell me that it appeared that my son was his disposal. The successes were all what
+972 (09) 765 1185 having “processing difficulties.” Of course, most people would consider “little” but they
Eliana Harpaz
Ma’Ale Adumim
“processing difficulties” is the buzz word of were huge to us. After a while, I noticed that
+972 (02) 590-2110 the decade and what my the “little” successes
or 054-441-0789 “After a while, I noticed that
Judith Schwarcz
son really had was combined with other
DDA-Israel Director dyslexia. Thank the ‘little’ successes combined “little” successes and
Supervisor-Specialist with other ‘little’ successes
Pearl Zarsky
goodness that one of we got “huge” progress.
Ra’anana/Tel Aviv my son’s most obvious and we had ‘huge’ progress.” Just like a snowball.
+972 (09) 772 9888 difficulties was reversal Of course, to be
Italy of the letters “b” and “d.” That was what completely fair and forthright to parents
Elisa De Felice
Roma
ultimately led me to the Davis Dyslexia interested in the process, I must admit that
+39 (06) 507 3570 Association. After a Google search on dyslexia, every day was not the picture of perfection.
Piera Angiola Maglioli
Occhieppo Inferiore / Biella
I came across the Davis site and found the list Some days were extremely successful, some
+39 (015) 259 3080 of “37 Common Characteristics of Dyslexia.” were almost hysterically funny–especially
Alessandro Taiocchi My son possessed over 30 of them. There when we’d do picture-at-punctuation and I’d
Settimo Milanese
+39 (333) 443 7368
was never a doubt from that point forward see exactly what he pictured. And some of his
Silvia Walter that I had found what I was looking for. clay models were very humorous. Then some
Bagno a Ripoli Florence
+39 (055) 621 0541
My son spent a week with his very days were drudgery. When combining the
Rafaella Zingerle
talented, caring, and forever helpful facilitator program with regular school homework,
Corvara In Badia at the end of April 2002. We spent about 16 some days were completely overwhelming.
+39 (0471) 836 959
Kenya
months on the follow-up work and I am still There were times when I didn’t think we
Christel Flowers
very proud to say that we did it ALL, every would make it and others when I couldn’t
Langata/Nairobi trigger word, reading exercise, Koosh ball, wait to see what was in store for us next.
+ 254 (20) 72 271 4578
Manisha Shah
math, spelling, you name it. In addition to the follow up work and
Nairobi From my perspective, the Davis program homework from school (and dealing with
+ 254 (0) 722 492 217 can be the biggest high. There were times when teachers), it was also my job to be
Diana Smit-Jurgens
Nairobi
things clicked and I would feel so excited! I cheerleader, motivator, and sometimes
+254 733 895 603 remember one day driving in the car when manipulator. It takes a little practice to find
Kimberly Swallow my son calculated time past the hour for the what works to motivate a child. For the most
Nairobi
+ 254 (20) 712 0472 first time or when he would pop out with an part, I found that routine and consistency
understanding of something I knew he never were very important. In our house, the Davis
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 13
program came first and everything else absolutely loved that. It was our deal that if Lebanon
second. We did our follow-up work before he did the regular Koosh ball exercise, we’d Samar Riad Saab
Beirut
school homework, before play and before play dodge Koosh ball after. I would throw +961 3 700 206
friends. Sometimes I would use that to my the Koosh balls at him and he had to duck, Malaysia
advantage by soliciting his agreement dodge and dive out of the way. Hilary Craig
Kuala Lumpur
+60 (36) 201 55 95
to do follow-up after playing. Of course all of these things
Mexico
took time and energy, and
Silvia B. Arana García
sometimes I felt that I just didn’t
“The Davis program have them to give. But we stuck Mexico, D.F.
is absolutely brilliant with it. Some weeks were better +52 (55) 5540-7205
in its approach and I Cathy Calderón de la Barca
México D.F.
than others, but no matter what
Advanced Workshop
can say first-hand, happened, we never stopped. We took
it works.” Presenter
+52 (55) 5540-7205
the occasional day off, but overall, Davis
Hilda Fabiola Herrera Cantu
follow-up became an obsession. There
I gave him some control over the are those moments when I look back and Culiacan, Sinaloa
situation and he was willing to live wonder how we got through. Fortunately, +52 81 6677 15 01 19
María Silvia Flores Salinas
Supervisor –Specialist
up to his end of the bargain. I often the good vastly outweighed the bad and
used fun things to help motivate my son. For ultimately the progress and success Garza García Monterrey NL
example, I would say, “we’re going to the outweighed any difficulties I experienced +52 (81) 8378 4846
Laura Lammoglia
Tampico, Tamaulipas
beach, but before we go, you need to do your as support person for my son.
trigger word for today.” It took me years to truly appreciate the +52 (833) 213 4126
Our biggest battle was to get my son to “gift” of dyslexia. Now that dyslexia is not Alejandra Garcia Medina
Huixquilucan
sit down and commit. Once he did, he did interfering, it is helping my son be the +52 (55) 1085 5608l
great. Sometimes he would drive me crazy wonderful, extremely creative and talented Maria Lourdes Gutiérrez
Mexico D.F.
+52 (555) 593 18 22
spending a half an hour or more making a person that he was always meant to be.
Lucero Palafox de Martin
clay model. Sometimes I sat with him, other True, there were moments when it didn’t
times I left the room and let him surprise me seem like a gift, but fortunately time gives Veracruz
with his brilliance. We always tried to keep it you perspective. Perspective and the Davis +52 (229) 935 1302
Ana Elena Payro Ogarrio
Corregidora, Queretaro
fun and varied. Sometimes I made a clay program tools are all you need. The Davis
model too and we would compare what we program is brilliant and it changed my child’s +52 442 228 1264
came up with. One other very motivating life. I highly recommend it. Just be patient Lydia Gloria Vargas
Garza García Monterrey NL
thing for my son was dodge Koosh ball. He with yourself and never, never give up. +52 (81) 8338 2226
Netherlands
Liesbeth Berg-Schagen
Vleuten
Don’t Wait! has struggled since the age of five and all +31 (030) 604-9601
Ineke Blom
Dorpstraat
By an anonymous Mom
the teachers denied dyslexia (blaming it on
her known dyspraxia), but if I had known +31 (020) 436-1484
Please don’t wait years for an official earlier what I know now, I would have Lot Blom
diagnosis of dyslexia – that was our made sure that the school did not Utrecht +31 (030) 271 0005
Lieneke Charpentier
Nieuwegein
mistake. force her to read aloud and then
My daughter is eight and has shout at her errors. My daughter +31 (030) 60 41 539
gone through so much suffering Hester Cnossen
Veghel +31 (495) 641 920
has reached the point where she
Monique Commandeur
as a result of her school’s poor tells me she believes she is
understanding of her needs worthless. This book puts the Sterksel +31 (06) 13 94 97 54
and challenges. She finally Ratnavali de Croock
Oudorp (Aalkmaar)
worth back into her with
got a diagnosis two weeks ago positives rather than the school’s +31 (072) 511 6881
placing her reading age at five negatives. It has helped in Alexandra De Goede
Aerdenhout
+31 (023) 524 3263
years. She cannot do phonics or just one week! And do try the
put words together. She hates Perceptual Ability Assessment Mine de Ranitz
reading and tells me it’s like described in the book. When we Driebergen
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Christien De Smit
being locked in a dungeon. did it I found my daughter’s
I read The Gift of Dyslexia in ability to “see the cake” uncanny. Sluis +31 (0117) 461 963
the last week or so. It was like reading But to her it was the most natural thing Leonardus D’Hoore
an insight into my daughter. It is so in the world. Sluis +31 (0117) 56 29 40
Marijke Eelkman Rooda-Bos
positive and has really helped us. She Please do not wait for diagnosis. Gouda +31 (0182) 517-316
PAGE 14 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Netherlands (cont’d)
Jolien Fokkens
What Do They Have in Common?
Beilen +31 (0593) 540 141 By René Engelbrecht
Ina Gaus
Santpoort-Zuid
+31 (023) 538-3927 There is hope for people with It is this way of thinking that caused
Jan Gubbels dyslexia, writes South African Einstein problems at school, but also made
Maastricht
+31 (043) 36 39 999 educator, René Engelbrecht. Here him a brilliant mathematician.
Sue Hillier-Smith she tells the story of dyslexic twins Because he is dyslexic himself, Davis
Breukelen says, frustration caused him to sit down one
+31 (0346) 265 059
from Somerset West who last year
day to try and figure out why he struggled so
Judith Holzapfel
passed matric (grade 12) with merit
Deventer in spite of possessing the reading with reading and writing, while at the same
+31 (0570) 619 553 time he was a qualified mechanical engineer
ability of eight-year-olds.
Mia Jenniskens and amateur sculptor. In this way he started
Eindhoven
+31 (040) 245 9458
What do May and Katie de Clercq from creating an idea to overcome his dyslexia.
Trudy Joling Somerset West, the twins about whom Die In 1981, Davis started developing a
Laren Burger reported on 22 January, have in
+31 (035) 531 00 66
programme for children and adults with
Marie Koopman
common with Pablo Picasso? dyslexia with the collaboration of Dr. Fatima
Bilthoven The most obvious answer would be their Ali, Ph.D, educational psychologist. Then, in
+31 (030) 228 4014 artistic skills. But then there’s also something April 1982 they opened the Davis Dyslexia
Carry Kuling
Heemstede
else – their dyslexia. They Correction Center in
+31 (0235) 287 782 share this with Albert California offering their
Edith Kweekel-Göldi Einstein, Leonardo da services to the general
Soest +31 (035) 601 0611 Vinci, Walt Disney, Tom
Imelda Lamaker
public – with wonderful
Hilversum Cruise, Keira Knightley, results.
+31 (035) 621 7309 Sir Richard Branson, and Now dyslexia does
Irma Lammers
Boxtel +31 (411) 68 56 83
Agatha Christie, to not mean a struggle of
Yvie Leenaars-de Rooÿ
mention but a few famous months or even years.
Bavel +31 (0161) 433 449 people who reached fame Davis’ book, The Gift of
ZeiZei Lerninstitut and fortune in life. Dyslexia, was published
Drs. Siegerdina Mandema
Specialist Trainer
Dyslexia does not in 1994 and in 1995 Davis
Advanced Workshop indicate a lack of talent Dyslexia Association
Presenter
DDA-Nederland Director
or intelligence. Only an International (DDAI) was
Robin Temple inability to read. Yet in the launched with the purpose
Specialist Trainer
Workshop Presenter
world of today we depend of providing information
Maria Hoop on the written word to a “I started searching on the about the Davis methods,
+31 (0475) 302 203 large extent. internet … and in this way setting standards for the
Sjan Melsen came upon the website of
Arnhem
Although various Davis programme and
+31 (026) 442 69 98 methods are applied to Ronald Davis—and training of facilitators. His
Cinda Musters help with dyslexia, they discovered hope!” next book, The Gift of
Amsterdam
+31 (20) 330-78 08
simply do not all work for Learning, adding methods
Bert Neele
everyone. I experienced this as a remedial for attention-deficit disorder, mathematics
Melick teacher. Eventually I started searching on the and handwriting, was published in 2003.
+31 (61) 259 8802 internet to try to find out whether somewhere Davis’ approach does not include
Marianne Oosterbaan
Zeist +31 (030) 691 7309
in the world there was perhaps something that instruction based on phonics, does not make
Fleur van de Polder-Paton
worked, and in this way I came upon the use of drill work, does not depend on physical
Schiedam website of Ronald Davis – and discovered hope! apparatus such as books in large print, nor
+31 (010) 471 58 67
Davis’ viewpoint immediately attracted does it rely on medication.
Petra Pouw-Legêne
DLS Nederlands Director
my attention. He regards dyslexia as an innate He does use the individual’s imagination,
Beek +31 (046) 437 4907 gift that becomes a burden in the two- the fact that the human brain is reprogrammable,
Karin Rietberg dimensional world of the written word. This multi-sensory techniques and creativity.
Holten +31 (548) 364 286 gift goes hand in hand with imagination and Davis regards it as important that
Jacqueline van Rijswijck
Venray +31 (0478) 58 73 98
creativity, with problem solving by looking individuals with dyslexia gain control of their
Lydia Rogowski Wijnberg
at the bigger picture, rather than an analytical own learning processes. According to Davis
Helmond +31 (0492) 513 169 step-by-step process. According to him dyslexic people are different, in the sense that
Hanneke Schoemaker dyslexic individuals mainly think in pictures they see things from different perspectives.
Wageningen
+31 (0317) 412 437 and not in words. Such as the De Clercq This characteristic stands them in good stead
twins who think in “shapes.” in the world of concrete images, but lets them
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 15
Netherlands (cont’d)
down when they have to interpret things that Dyslexia and The Gift of Learning. I only had
are two dimensional, such as the written to state clearly that I was merely researching
Ilse Schreuder
word. Then they “disorient.” the methods and not the overall techniques Aalzum/Dokkum
What makes his approach so different that trained facilitators use. +31 (051) 922-0315
Silvia Jolanda Sikkema
Drachten
is that he helps individuals establish an In 2004 I did research for my master’s
orientation point they can use to focus. This, degree in psychology at Stellenbosch +31 (0512) 538 815
and his completely different approach to University (South Africa) on the influence of Suzan Sintemaartensdijk
Akersloot
+31 (25) 131-26 62
reading, is the crux of his work. the Davis methods on the reading ability and
Romina Toroz
Furthermore a very important factor is psychological functioning of learners. The
that the Davis programme helps to mend results were scientifically significant and also Utrecht +31 (61) 280-1821
people’s self-esteem and self-confidence. indicated a success rate above 80%. This was Karima P.A. Turkatte
Amsterdam
+31 (020) 696 4379
I discovered this programme in 1999 after only 14 hours of instruction. [A normal
and immediately ordered Davis’ book The Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme Marieke Uiterwijk
Gift of Dyslexia in which his methods are consists of 30 hours of instruction.] Leiden +31 (071) 576 2533
Mieke van Delden
Leek +31 (059) 4514985
described in detail. Although I was not sure Last year I met Dr. Linda Silverman on
Agnes van den
whether this programme was scientifically the internet. She is Director of the Institute
justifiable or whether I’d be able to perform for the Study of Advanced Development as Homberg-Jacobs
America Limburg
+31 (077) 464 23 22
it, it fascinated me. I studied it in depth. well as the Gifted Development Center in
Annette van der Baan
Through Abigail Marshall, Davis’ webmaster, Denver, Colorado, and has the same viewpoint
I gained consent to use the Davis techniques as Davis, and supports his work. Amsterdam
+31 (020) 420-5501
[for purposes of research only] with my Her work mainly deals with gifted
Hetty van der Well
learners even though I was not a qualified Oss +31 (041) 263 6403
Davis facilitator. Annemarie van Hof
My trial test was a grade 4 learner with Utrecht +31 (030) 65 86 700
Juchke van Roozendaal
Oss +31 (0412) 690 312
dyslexia. Her remedial teacher had told her
Willem Van Ulsen
parents after a year’s remedial lessons that she
could do no more for the child and that she Groningen
+31 (050) 542 3941
would most probably fail grade 3. She was
Tienke Veenstra-Sierhsma
Meppel
transferred, however, and at the beginning of
grade 4 her parents came to ask for my help. +31 (0522) 254 453
I told them about the Davis method, that Lia Vermeulen
Huizen +31 (062) 3671530
Christien Vos
I had not tried it out myself, but that I would
treat their daughter free of charge if they Tolbert +31 (0594) 511 607
allowed me to test the method on her. By this Lucie Wauben-Cruts
time they were so desperate that they told me Elsloo +31 (046) 437 0329
Christa Wiersma
Onna (bij Steenwijk)
to continue. In quite a short while there was
significant improvement. +31 (0521) 523 303
Within a few weeks this girl could read Gerda Witte-Kuijs
“My idea was to prove that Heerhugowaard
+31 (072) 571 3163
better and understand what she was reading.
Her self-confidence improved as well. And to the Davis methods can help
top it all, she earned an average of 70% at the individuals with dyslexia, and New Zealand
that it should be acknowledged Kirsteen Britten
Christchurch
end of the year.
Worldwide Davis Facilitators have had as an acceptable additional or +64 (3) 348 1665
Vivienne Carson
great success with the course, but up until a few alternative method.”
Auckland
+64 (09) 520-3270
years ago there had been no clinical evidence
Catherine Churton
that it works, and for that reason some children, and she created the concept of the
professionals did not accept it. Because I Visual-Spatial Learner. DDA-Pacific Director
Supervisor-Specialist
Auckland
saw how well learners performed after being Like Davis, she believes that under-
introduced to the Davis programme, I decided achievers often are gifted learners whose +64 (021) 448 862
that I would put it to a scientific test myself. minds simply function differently. She Jennifer Churton
My idea was to prove that the Davis Auckland
+64 (09) 360 494
noticed that these children are often artistically
Ann Cook
methods can help individuals with dyslexia, gifted – dancers, actors, musicians, creative
and that it should be acknowledged as an writers. Among them there are also mathe- Warkworth/Auckland
acceptable additional or alternative method. maticians, scientists, computer experts and +64 (0) 9 422 0042
Martine Falconer
Christchurch
The Davis Dyslexia Association gave entrepreneurs. They seek and find patterns in
me permission to do research based on the life and are most excited when they discover +64 (03) 383-1988
information I gained from The Gift of something new. Some are very empathetic
PAGE 16 THE DYSLEXIC READER
South Africa
Sharon Gerkin
Durban
+27 (82) 82 85 180
Spain
Silvia María Sabatés
Rodrigo
Madrid
+34 (091) 636 31 44
Switzerland/CH
Tinka Altwegg-Scheffmacher
By Abigail Marshall St. Gallen
+41 (071) 222 07 79
Autism: a kind of “super dyslexia?” Monika Amrein
Zurich +41 (01) 341 8264
Q: I have been reading The Gift of Dyslexia Regula Bacchetta-
Bischofberger
Horw /Luzern
by Ronald D. Davis. In the book, he says
that autism is a kind of “super dyslexia” as well as information about the developing +41 (041) 340 2136
caused by severe disorientation brought about Priska Baumgartner
Wettingen
Davis program.
+41 (056) 426 28 88
by auditory stimuli, and that he, himself, was With regard to your question about
Renate Blum-Muller
autistic as a child. Does this mean that the research into the program’s effectiveness with
Davis program would be helpful in correcting Full-Reuenthal
+41 (56) 246-18 66
autistic children, as noted above, the Davis
autism? If so, do you have any information
Michelle Bonardi
Dyslexia Correction program is not intended
Castel S. Pietro, Ticino
on how these programs could be done with to directly address the symptoms of autism.
autistic children? Has any research been The new Davis Autism Approach is under +41 (091) 630 23 41
done on the program’s effectiveness with Vicki Brignoli
active development. For that reason we do Lumino
autistic children? Is it recommended for not expect formalized research for some +41 (091) 829 05 36
regular autism, autism spectrum disorders time. Currently the program is being piloted Carole Dubosson
Veyras/Sierre
+41 (027) 452 62 02
(such as Asperger’s syndrome), or both? and developed through collaboration among
A: The program described in The Gift of the developers and the individuals being Brigitta Dünki
Rafz
+ 41 (079) 318-8300
Dyslexia is geared specifically to addressing trained in the approach. We have had very
Ursula Fischbacher
reading problems. The programs described impressive results with individual children,
in The Gift of Learning are for addressing but at this time such anecdotal evidence is Orpund
attention, math and handwriting difficulties. only preliminary, not formalized “research.” +41 (032) 355 23 26
Mieke Friederichs
Reinach
These programs are very effective for The Davis Autism Approach would
individuals who are on the autistic spectrum be appropriate for any individual along +41 (061) 712 42 06
but high functioning. Auditory Orientation the autistic spectrum who has sufficient Heidi Gander-Belz
procedures which are part of what Davis communication skills to work with a DLS Presenter-Mentor
Monchaltorf
Facilitators provide as part of a Davis Facilitator. Again, the Davis Dyslexia +41 (01) 948 1410
Program are a key element for working with Correction program might be appropriate Elisabeth Gerber
autistic individuals. But there is no claim for a high-functioning individual with mild Mettmenstetten
+41 (044) 767 10 54
that these programs can “correct autism.” autism or Asperger’s Syndrome seeking a
Katharina Grenacher
As to your question about information program to address reading, attention and Bern +41 (031) 382 00 29
on how these programs could be done with academic difficulties. Elisabeth Gut
autistic children, we do have a program Grut +41 (044) 932 3242
Global Developmentally Delayed
under development called the Davis Autism Ursula Hirzel Egler
Q: I have two children diagnosed as Global Stäfa +41 (01) 926 2895
Approach. This new program addresses
Developmentally Delayed. They have both Christa Jaeger
Riehen
identity development and the social issues
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commonly associated with autism. It has received additional help through the public
Consuelo Lang
been used effectively with a small number of school system. One of my kids can read with
a little comprehension (math is a huge issue), Lumino
+41 (091) 829 05 36
children, and the developers of the program
yet my other child, who’s in sixth grade, reads
Claudia Lendi
are now beginning to train interested Davis
St. Gallen
Facilitators in this new approach. at first grade level. Since I know my children’s
You will be able to get information abilities very well, I took the on-line test at +41 (071) 288 41 85
the website, but am unsure about the results. Beatrice Leutert
Stein am Rhein
about the program as it develops at this web
+41 (052) 232 03 83
site at www.davisautism.com. This website Is it possible that my kids are dyslexic?
is under development and does not yet have A: The term “Global Developmentally Erika Meier-Schmid
Delayed” is usually used when the child has Bonstetten
+41 (01) 700 10 38
content uploaded, but it does have a form
across-the-board delays that go beyond
Verena Luisa Moser
that you can use to subscribe to the Davis
Autism e-newsletter if you wish to receive academic problems, such as learning to read Riken +41 (076) 346 93 34
occasional news about autism-related topics or do math. Usually this is apparent in many
PAGE 18 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Switzerland/CH (cont’d)
Maya Muraro
Stäfa +41 (079) 704 03 07
Christine Noiset
Quotables
Renens/Lausanne from
+41 (021) 634 35 10 or
(079) 332 2775
Véronique Pfeiffer
Zürich +41 (01) 342 22 61
Notables ...
Hilary Rhodes
Chesieres-Villars
+41 (024) 495 38 20
Regine Roth-Gloor
Mohlin/Basel
+41 (061) 851 2685
Doris Rubli-Huber
St. Gallen
+41 (071) 245 56 90
Benita Ruckli
Sigigen +41 (041) 495 04 09
or (079) 719 31 18
Lotti Salivisberg
Basel +41 (061) 263 33 44
ways beyond their problems in school. “Forever is composed of nows.”
Sonja Sartor
Unfortunately, children are sometimes
Winterthur
–Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
misdiagnosed or mislabeled. I suggest you
+41 (052) 242 4015 American poet
Marianne Schutz
have more comprehensive testing done by a
Zofinger professional if you are unsure about the
+41 (62) 752 8281 standing of your children. Learning to read is
Andreas Villain
Zürich +41 (076) 371 84 32
not directly correlated with intelligence. It is
Catherine Warner possible for children with severe intellectual
Geneva impairment to learn the skill and read at a
+41 (022) 321 70 42
Margit Zahnd
rudimentary level, just as it is possible for
Gerolfingen an extremely bright child to struggle with
+41 (079) 256 86 65 or reading, even into adulthood.
(032) 396 19 20
United Arab Emirates
It is important to keep in mind that
Linda Rademan
various programs and methods geared to
Dubai +9714 348 1687 “dyslexic” children might also be effective “Remember, no one can
United Kingdom for children with different types of make you feel inferior
Nicky Bennett-Baggs impairments. Sometimes the label is not without your consent.”
Gt. Gaddesden, Herts
+44 (01442) 252 517
as important as understanding your child’s –Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962)
Sue Bullen
learning style. First Lady of the United States
Ayrshire, Scotland The online assessment on our website at
+44 (01292) 591 797 www.testdyslexia.com is meant only to give
Sarah Dixon
East Horsley, Surrey
a very rough idea of the child’s learning
+44 (01483) 283 088 style. However, for purposes of getting a
Susan Duguid sense of where your own children stand, it
London
+44 (0) 8000 272657
might be important to look at areas of
Dyslexia Correction Centre
strength as well as weakness. Whatever the
Georgina Dunlop diagnosis, your children will learn best if
Jane E.M. Heywood
DLS Mentor & Presenter
teaching is geared to their strengths.
Ascot, Berkshire The methods that we use with dyslexic
+44 (01344) 622 115 children can also often help children with
Christine East
Kingsbridge, Devon
other learning barriers. However, our
+44 (0) 8000 272657 one-week program is geared to children
Hilary Farmer with normal or above-normal intelligence.
Oxford, Oxon “Don’t walk in front of me,
+44 (01865) 326 464 If a child has more serious impairments or
I may not follow. Don’t walk
Nichola Farnum MA disabilities, then parents or tutors can apply
behind me, I may not lead. Walk
London +44 (0) 8000 272657 the methods we use but work more slowly,
Jacqueline Ann Flisher beside me and be my friend.”
Hungerford Berks
over an extended time frame.
+44 (0) 8000 272657 For ages 5-7, the “Young Learner Kit –Albert Camus (1913–1960)
Maureen Florido for Home Use” (see page 23), would be the French existentialist author
Harleston, Norfolk and philosopher
+44 (0) 8000 272657
appropriate option to try for a parent of
a child who truly has global delays.
THE DYSLEXIC READER PAGE 19
United States/
California (cont’d)
Richard A. Harmel
Marina Del Rey/Los Angeles
+1 (310) 823-8900
David Hirst
Riverside
+1 (951) 653-9251 or
(909) 241-6079
Angela Dean Educators
Nicole Melton
“Back to Study” with Karen Thorworth-Pongs
Diamond Bar
+1 (909) 861-5251
Davis in Iceland Cheryl Rodrigues
Sunnyvale / San Jose
by Hólmfridur Gudmundsdóttir +1 (408) 983-0968
David Carlos Rosen
San Rafael
Davis Facilitator in Gardabae, Iceland
+1 (415) 479-1700
Dwight Underhill
Before becoming a Davis Facilitator I was a
project manager for an education company, El Cerrito/Berkeley
Mimir-simenntun, specializing in courses for +1 (510) 559-7869
Dee Weldon White
Lexie White Strain
adults with limited schooling. We applied for
and received a grant from the Ministry of Menlo Park
Social Affairs to organize a course for people +1 (650) 388-6808
Colorado
Annie Garcia
with reading difficulties.
At the time, I knew very little about Wheat Ridge / Denver
Davis. I had attended a talk by Axel +1 (303) 423-3397
Crystal Punch
DLS Mentor
Gudmundsson that February, and I’d also
spoken to Nora Kornblueh who knew about Centennial/Denver
+1 (303) 850-0581
Kristi Thompson
the method. It sounded very exciting and
promising. A group graduates from Back to Study in DLS Presenter-Mentor
After I began my Davis training, I got Iceland. Walsh +1 (719) 324-9256
Florida
Terry DeMeo
permission to offer correction programs as a
Miami
part of the course we were offering. Initially This was in 2004. By October 2007
five of us, Nora Kornblueh, Gudrún thirteen groups had taken the course. By now, +1 (305) 567-0611
over 150 people have completed the course, Random (Randee)
Garretson
Benediktsdóttir, Sigrún Jensdóttir, Hugrún
Lutz/Tampa/St. Petersburg
Svavarsdóttir and I folded our Davis skills and we have a waiting list.
into the course. Since we hadn’t finished our The course is called Back to Study, and +1 (813) 956-0502
the main component is the Davis Dyslexia Tina Kirby
Navarre
training, the participants in our course were
+1 (850) 218-5956
not charged for the program. All of them Correction Program. In the beginning, before
Rita Von Bon
said they were ready to try anything because they start the correction program, participants
work on their self-esteem. After they have all Navarre
+1 (850) 934-1389
nothing had worked so far. Later on Ingibjörg
finished the program, they meet to study
Georgia
Ingolfsdóttir, Sigurborg Svala Gudmundsdóttir,
Áslaug K. Ásgeirsdóttir and Kolbeinn grammar, spelling, writing and computer Bonny Beuret
skills. When all of this is done, the participants Supervisor-Specialist
Advanced Workshop
Sigurjónsson joined the team.
Presenter
meet one-on-one with a social worker where
they assess what they have achieved, discuss Savannah
their future goals and brainstorm how to reach +1 (912) 239 9339
Lesa Hall
them. Many of the participants go further: to Pooler/Savannah
school or specific courses of study, since by +1 (912) 330-8577
Martha Payne
Suwanee
then Back to Study has armed them with
courage and the knowledge that they can learn. +1 (404) 886-2720
We always hold a celebration at the end Scott Timm
Woodstock/Atlanta
+1 (866) 255-9028 (Toll-Free)
of each course, so that teachers and students
Hawaii
alike can take delight in the results achieved. No
words can describe what we feel when we see Vickie Kozuki-Ah You
Ewa Beach/Honolulu
+1 (808) 664-9608
students stand proud, and give a speech about
Idaho
their success. It never fails: nearly everyone
in the room fights to hold back the tears. Carma Sutherland
Rexburg
+1 (208) 356-3944
Participants and facilitators enjoy Symbol Hulda Olafsdottir, the manager of
Mastery. Mimir-simenntun, attends each graduation of
PAGE 22 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Nebraska
Shawn Carlson
Young Learner Kit Lincoln
+1 (402) 420-1025
Elaine Thoendel
for Home-Use Chambers
+1 (402) 482-5709
Nevada
Barbara Clark
Gardnerville/Carson City
Based on the Davis Dyslexia +1 (775) 265-1188
New Hampshire
Glenna Giveans
Correction methods, this Kit
enables parents of children, ages Lebanon
+ 1 (603) 863-7877
5-7, to home-teach and help young
Michele Siegmann
learners to: Mason/Manchester/Boston
+1 (603) 878-6006
• focus attention
New Jersey
Lynn Chigounis
• control energy levels
• improve eye-hand coordination Montclair
+1 (973) 746-5037
Charlotte Foster
• learn the alphabet
• learn basic punctuation Supervisor-Specialist
Bernardsville/Newark
+1 (908) 766-5399
• develop and strengthen pre-reading
and basic reading skills
New York
• prevent the potential of a learning Lisa Anderson
problem Seneca Falls
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• improve sight word recognition and or (800) 234-6922
comprehension The Kit includes: Ann Hassig
Gouverneur
+1 (315) 287-0531
• establish life-long “how-to-learn” skills. • Instruction Manual
• Sturdy nylon briefcase Hadar Hellman
Forest Hills
The Davis Methods
for Young Learners • Reusable modeling clay (2 lbs.) +1 (212) 781-3689
• Clay cutter Wendy Ritchie
Hilton/Rochester
+1 (585) 233-4364
Davis Focusing Strategies provide • Webster’s Children’s Dictionary
North Carolina
children with the self-directed ability to (hardcover)
Gerri W. Cox
DLS Presenter-Mentor
be physically and mentally focused on the • Punctuation Marks & Styles Booklet
learning task at hand. • Two Koosh Balls Shallotte/Wilmington
+1 (910) 754-9559
Ruth Mills
Davis Symbol Mastery enables children to • Letter Recognition Cards
• Laminated Alphabet Strip Pineville/Charlotte
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master the alphabet letters, punctuation
Jean Moser
marks and basic sight words with a simple, • Stop Signs for Reading Chart
easy and fun alternative to pencil-paper Winston-Salem
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Ohio
activities and drill.
Lorraine Charbonneau
Mason/Cincinnati/Dayton
Davis Reading Exercises improve
accuracy with word recognition and +1 (513) 850-1895
Lisa Thatcher
Mount Vernon/Columbus
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The Kit is priced at $119.95 Oklahoma
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Note: For older children (ages 8 and up), we Ontario
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recommend the Davis Symbol Mastery Kit.
Tigard / Portland
+1 (503) 957-2998
PAGE 24 THE DYSLEXIC READER
Virginia
right. The Davis Dyslexia Correction Program we grow into Davis Facilitators. Your profession-
explains every symptom and its simplicity is pure alism, encouragement and kind words during my Donna Kouri
genius. I grow with each client and can’t wait to journey were valued. May the journey continue. Montpelier/Richmond
+1 (804) 883-8867
Angela Odom
see what wonders the next one will bring. When Dyslexia Untangled. Waimea Highway, RD 6,
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Jamie Worley
new home, a place to make my contribution. As a
Maude Le Roux is an
Facilitator I will offer this program at my office in Yorktown/Williamsburg
+1 (757) 867-1164
Occupational Therapist who
downtown Springfield or travel where I’m needed.
owns and directs a private Washington
Aleta Clark
I am determined to change the now-popular
practice in Glen Mills,
phrase to No One Left Behind and give it real Auburn/Tacoma
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Pennsylvania. She is excited
meaning.” Reading Solutions of Central Illinois,
about adding this very needed Carol Hern
DLS Presenter-Mentor
920 S. Spring Street Ste. 2200, Springfield, IL
program to her practice and is
62704, United States. [email protected], Spokane
Mary Ethel Kellogg
looking forward to seeing more
www.readingsolution.com.
children and adults prosper DLS Presenter-Mentor
Spokane
+1 (217) 789-Read (7323); +1 (217) 744-3905;
and grow! A Total Approach, 9 La Crue Avenue,
Fax: +1 (217) 522-6650. Rebecca Luera
Fall City/Seattle
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of dyslexia prompted us to have our nine year-old +1 (484) 840-1529; Fax: +1 (484) 840-1560. +1 (425) 222-4163
Nancy Sitton
Marysville
son experience a Davis Program. Afterwards, the
WOW factor left me with no doubts that I wanted IN MEMORIAM +1 (360) 651-1241
to begin the journey for myself. The program Ron Renie Royce Smith
Spokane & Everett
+1-800-371-6028 (Toll-Free)
Davis has developed continues to excite me and Carla Cynthia Niessen
I simply cannot wait to pass on to others this It was early Sunday morning, +1 (509) 443-1737
knowledge. I feel very honored and privileged to Ruth Ann Youngberg
Bellingham
January 20, 2008, that our
+1 (360) 752-5723
be a part of this international family and know dear friend peacefully slipped
that I will continue to grow with the wisdom my from her slumbering body to West Virginia
clients will give me. I am forever grateful to those Gale Long
Elkview/Charleston
embrace the stars. (Carla was
+1 (888) 517-7830 (Toll Free)
who have supported, encouraged and believed in a Davis Facilitator from 1999
me: My extended family, The Matavra Licensing +1 (304) 965-7400
Wisconsin
to 2005.)
Trust, and my colleagues, Lorna Timms and
New Hope Learning
Centers, Inc.
Catherine Churton. Catherine, you are the reason
Darlene Bishop
Margaret Hayes
Milwaukee
Davis Training Programs +1 (888) 890-5380 (Toll Free)
+1 (262) 255-3900
Anne Mataczynski
Wausau
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The Davis Facilitator Training Davis Learning Strategies Mentors
Program requires approximately 400 and Workshop Presenters are Uruguay
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Montevideo
The Davis Specialist Training 2-3 years of specialized training and +598 (02) 600-6326
Program requires extensive experience experience mentoring classroom
teachers of children 5- 9 years of age.
providing Davis programs and an This Directory is current as of
additional 260 hours of training. For information about training and a April 1, 2008. It is subject to
change. Between newsletter
Specialists and Facilitators are subject to full directory of Davis providers, go to: issues, new Facilitators are
annual re-licensing based upon case www.dyslexia.com/providers.htm added, and occasionally, some
become inactive. However, the
review and adherence to the DDAI or call +1 (650) 692-7141 or Davis Providers list at
Standards of Practice. www.dyslexia.com
is always up to date.
+1-888-805-7216 toll-free in the USA.
PAGE 26 THE DYSLEXIC READER
For a detailed brochure on enrollment, prices, group rates, discounts, location, and further information, contact the DDA in your country.
DDA-Pacific DDA-DACH DDA- Latin America DDA-UK
PO BOX 46023 Deutschland-Austria- Calzada del Valle #400 Local 8 Davis Learning Foundation
Herne Bay Switzerland Colonia del Valle PO Box 972
Auckland, New Zealand Wandsbecker Chausee 132 Garza García, Monterrey Canterbury
Phone: +64 (09) 815-8626 D-22089 Hamburg Nuevo León Kent CT1 9DN
Fax: +64 (09) 815-8627 GERMANY MÉXICO, CP 66220 Tel: +44 (0)1227 732 288
E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 49 (040) 25 17 86 22 Tel: 52 (81) 8335-9435 Fax: +44 (0)1227 731 756
Fax: 49 (040) 25 17 86 24 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
DDA-Israel
20 Ha’shahafim St. E-mail: [email protected] DDA-Nederland DDAI-Int’l, Canada & USA
Ra’anana 43724 ISRAEL SWITZERLAND Kerkweg 38a 1601 Bayshore Highway, Ste 260
Tel: 972 (0523) 693 384 Tel: 41 (061) 273 81 85 6105 CG Maria Hoop, NEDERLAND Burlingame, CA 94010
or (0)9 774 7979 E-MAIL: [email protected] Tel: 31 (0475) 302 203 Tel: 1-888-805-7216
Fax: 972 (09) 772-9889 Fax: 31 (0475) 301 381 Fax: 1 (650) 692-7075
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]