The Davis® Dyslexia Correction Method is a revolutionary approach to dyslexia that was developed by pioneering researcher Ronald D. Davis. One of the key components of the Davis method is the use of multi-sensory clay work, which involves using clay to help individuals with dyslexia improve their reading, writing, and spelling skills.

Recent scientific discoveries in the field of neurodiversity support the efficacy of the Davis method and its use of multi-sensory techniques. These discoveries have shown that the brains of individuals with dyslexia process information in unique and valuable ways, and that the use of multi-sensory techniques can help to harness these strengths and improve cognitive function.

For example, research has shown that individuals with dyslexia often have a heightened ability to think outside the box and to see connections that others may miss. This ability is known as divergent thinking and is associated with higher levels of creativity and problem-solving skills.

The use of clay in the Davis method is designed to tap into this strength and to help individuals with dyslexia utilize and further develop their divergent thinking skills.

By manipulating the clay, individuals with dyslexia can explore (and bring to life) previously confusing symbols - confusion that ultimately came about because of their unique abilities to mentally examine different possibilities, perspectives, and multiple angles with objects in the environment - a process that backfires when processing 2-dimensional symbols (letters, words, punctuation, etc.).

Using clay can as part of the learning process can dramatically improve their ability to retain information, read and write, as well as increase their overall cognitive function.

In addition to its effects on divergent thinking (which is embraced and explained to every client), the use of clay in the Davis method has also been shown to improve sensory processing and tactile perception in individuals with dyslexia. This, in turn, can improve their ability to focus and to process written information more efficiently.
​
Overall, new understanding and study of neurodiversity points strongly to the effectiveness of the Davis Dyslexia Correction Methods and its signature use of multi-sensory clay work. By harnessing the unique strengths and abilities of individuals with dyslexia, this approach can help them overcome their challenges and unlock their full potential.

October is Dyslexia Awareness month and my phone has been ringing off the hook! One of the questions I frequently get is whether or not it is important to get a formal diagnosis of Dyslexia.
​ 
As with most things, there are pros and cons - and it will very much depend upon your situation and the reasons behind why you are considering a diagnosis.

When dealing with "classic Dyslexia," the symptoms and characteristics can be very cut and dry. There are some surprisingly accurate on-line tests that will give you a good idea if the symptoms you see in yourself or your child are those that match Dyslexia. One of those tests is available free at http://www.ne-dyslexia.com/on-line-dyslexia-test.html. It is completely confidential and generates a report at the end. There are also downloadable symptoms check-lists available at: http://www.ne-dyslexia.com/37-common-characteristics.html and an adult symptom check-list at: http://www.ne-dyslexia.com/adult-dyslexia-characteristics.html.

If you or your child fit the common characteristics of Dyslexia and are looking for help, a formal diagnosis may not be necessary.

However, there may be situations where Dyslexia is not clear, or other factors need to be considered in order to better understand the underlying reasons for the difficulties. In those cases, a diagnosis can be helpful in determining what areas need to be addressed first. 

Diagnostic testing is quite extensive and typically includes tests for vision and hearing, as well as tests related to intellectual functioning, processing, intelligence (IQ), vocabulary/comprehension/phonemic awareness, achievement, and more.  In order to receive an official diagnosis for Dyslexia, this extensive testing must be done by a qualified professional, such as a neuropsychologist or educational psychologist.   

When you might want a diagnosis:   
An official diagnosis is typically appropriate if you are looking to:

• Qualify for accommodations/special education programs in public schools (inquire with the school system prior to seeking private testing, as you are legally entitled to request evaluation through the school district)
• Receive accommodations for work/employment
• Obtain proof of a disability for legal purposes
• Qualify for public services or disability services

When you might not want a diagnosis:

• In many/most cases, insurance will not cover diagnostic testing, which can cost several thousand dollars to administer. If the reasons listed above are not present in your situation, or if you are on a tight budget, it might make more sense to use the money for a solution.
• You are not seeking accommodations, or public/employment support.
  
• You do not want a "label" applied to you or your child, or to have that information on record (for whatever reason).
  
• You already KNOW you are dealing with Dyslexia - whether it be a clear cut case or family history.
  
• You want to handle the situation outside of the school setting - perhaps you have tried their programs and decide to try something different. If you are not requesting financial assistance from the school system, a diagnosis may not be necessary.
  

Tips if you do want a diagnosis:

• Be sure to ask specifically for Dyslexia testing. Believe it or not, there is no uniformly accepted criteria for diagnosing Dyslexia, so testing and diagnosis can be subjective. Professionals may disagree on whether or not a person is dyslexic, and/or use alternative diagnostic labels to describe your/your child's symptoms.  Many will not use the word "Dyslexia" at all.  There are more than 70 different diagnoses that can be used to describe the various manifestations of dyslexic symptoms. Therefore, if you are specifically looking for a Dyslexia diagnosis, be sure to request that they use that term should the symptoms be identified.
• Before having the diagnostic testing done, be sure that the school/university/employer will accept third-party testing, will honor the outcome, and employ accommodations and recommendations based upon it. 

FYI:
New England Dyslexia Solutions provides a thorough screening for Dyslexia, but does not provide an official diagnosis.  The assessment will determine if the client exhibits the signs and characteristics of Dyslexia and is a suitable candidate for our programs.  

**An official diagnosis is NOT necessary to participate in the programs provided by New England Dyslexia Solutions.**

​When a Dyslexic learner is struggling to keep up many factors come into play that can prevent true learning from taking place. Coping mechanisms are typically established to get by. They become a "life raft" in the turbulent and disorienting waters of the classroom and beyond. Although they may seem helpful, coping mechanisms can ultimately debilitate the learner and this is when the REAL learning disability takes place.

Let's begin with the idea of coping. Although there is part of this word that insinuates a level of success, it is certainly not a synonym with thriving. When we cope with something, we "get through it" or perhaps we work around it. Coping with a loss of someone you love doesn't mean that you have successfully gotten over them. It means that you are surviving amidst struggle.

Surviving amidst struggle is not an ideal place to be for long periods of time - and in the case of Dyslexia, it can be a lifetime of coping - which can wreak havoc on a person's self-esteem and self-worth. The emotional toll of Dyslexia is something that I will delve into on another day, however. Today, I would like to focus on the idea of coping mechanisms and coping strategies - that may seem helpful, but ultimately can prolong (and make worse) the struggle with Dyslexia.

Why are coping mechanisms so dangerous you ask? What is the big deal? 

Think about a coping mechanism as a life ring. You're out in the scary, confusing, turbulent ocean. You have a life ring that is keeping you afloat and you feel safer. You can count on the life raft and wouldn't even consider letting it go - in fear of losing your life! This is basic SURVIVAL. In the immediate moment, the life ring is working, but it is not exactly going to solve your problem. You are struggling, you are worried, you are stressed, your mind is spinning, you are disoriented. Yes, the life raft is keeping your head above water, but after a while, it becomes less and less effective because other/additional elements are now weighing you down.

This situation is quite analogous to a student in a classroom. A different style of learner, the student finds himself in a classroom where he is confused, disoriented, not understanding the way other children do. He doesn't want to be alone or to be different, but clearly there's something wrong with him. He is sinking further and further away from the learning experience and his self-esteem is not far behind.

Dyslexic children begin to create coping mechanisms from a very early age, finding any life raft they can to make sense of the academic world around them. Sometimes, these coping mechanisms can be natural. For example, the child may do a hands-on project that really makes the material stick, or perhaps they realize that when they really LISTEN to the teacher talk about a subject, they can understand the material fully. These are fantastic realizations for every person to have as early on in life as possible. Understanding how you think and learn is a critical piece of the puzzle for all learners, but especially those with Dyslexia and related learning difficulties.

However, more often than not, coping mechanisms involve TRICKS, behaviors, and cover-ups that end up creating the debilitating aspects of Dyslexia. The root of my point is this: If you need a trick to remember something, you don't truly understand it! Understanding is the key to correcting Dyslexia (and any other learning challenge in my opinion). Here are a list of some common coping mechanisms:

• Singing the Alphabet song
• Tricks to remember the orientation of letters or directions
• Tricks to remember spelling of words
• Acronyms to remember processes
• Rote Memorization
• Extreme concentration
• Avoidance
• Dependence
• Class clown
• Invisibility
• Changing the subject
• Drugs/alcohol
• Accommodations (scribes, iPads, etc.)

There can be literally THOUSANDS of coping mechanisms that any one person can incorporate into their life! Each coping strategy can evolve into becoming the only way to do something...but the problem is, you have to always remember the trick OR, as time goes by, the behavior has become so rooted in your identity, that you may react (or trigger) without even realizing it.

At New England Dyslexia Solutions, we provide clients with this understanding, but also with tools and techniques that promote REAL LEARNING in a way that fits their learning style. What we find is that, one they learn to trust their tools, they can begin to let go of the life raft and begin to swim (THRIVE)! It is an extremely empowering and exciting burden to release! When you are no longer hiding behind all of the coping strategies, you are finally FREE to be your authentic self.

 

When I first opened New England Dyslexia Solutions approximately 12 years ago, it was in my company's mission statement to share as much information as I possibly could about Dyslexia and related learning challenges - to dispel the myths, empower those who are struggling, and enable them to move past their blocks/level the playing field with their non-dyslexic peers.

It has been an amazing journey! Each client with whom I work teaches me something new and it has been an honor to see them grow and reach their fullest potential.

Over the past few years, I have been lucky to be receiving many referrals and, in the process, I have let down my focus on getting the word out to the masses that Dyslexia IS correctable...it IS a gifted way of thinking...it CAN BE the best thing that ever happened to you (if you know how to control it!).

So, now that Facebook is making broadcasting messages as simple as a phone call, I am hopping on the band wagon and will now be offering weekly(ish) LIVE topic-based events that will focus on the many different aspects of Dyslexia in small, bite-sized chunks (no more than 20 minutes).

I will be posting those events on my Facebook page and the events page here on this site. Stay posted and please join in on the fun! I would love your questions, comments, and interaction!