Frequent Questions

What is the purpose of Davis® Correction Programs?

The purpose of Davis Dyslexia Correction® Programs is to empower children and adults who experience difficulties with reading, writing, math, language, and attention/focus. They gain a new understanding of their personal thinking and perceptual processes; learn self-help methods for controlling perceptions; develop skills for eliminating confusions regarding language symbols; and gain a new found sense of self-esteem.

How does this program work for children with different learning styles?

The Davis® Method addresses the root cause of learning disabilities. This positive, creative-based program is DESIGNED for the learning style of the visual-spatial person. It uses the natural strengths and talents of the client’s personal learning style. The Davis® Program works with the dyslexic’s natural strength of thinking in pictures, talents of their personal learning style, and builds meaning through hands on mastery of what other programs call high frequency or sight words. In the Davis® Program we call these trigger words because they trigger disorientations that cause confusion.

The Davis® Program builds a solid foundation for focus and learning and empowers the dyslexic to utilize personal tools to control and correct the learning issues that have been developed. Because it works with the dyslexic strength the change happens quickly….often the client sees a growth in reading of 2 or more grade levels in 30 hours. Clients will learn HOW THEY LEARN and leave with the ability to implement the knowledge obtained during the program into daily life.

The program does not use phonics, colored-overlays, rote memorization, or repetitive drill. These address only the symptoms, not the root cause of Dyslexia. 

How Can the Davis® Program Help?

Many individuals who exhibit learning disability symptoms (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD) have a natural ability to alter their mental and physical perceptions.   They can use this perceptual ability to facilitate creativity, improve physical performance, enhance thinking, or resolve confusions.  This perceptual gift enables them to view their surroundings in 3-D, view an object from many angles, be creative or imaginative, and resolve confusion. 

 However, when they attempt to use this perceptual gift, known as disorientation, to resolve confusions regarding language or math symbols, it only creates more confusion, more perceptual distortions, and noticeable disorientations that affect vision, hearing, balance, motor skills, time sense, and speech.

Individuals who possess and use this thinking style can be shown how to control their perceptions so disorientation no longer interferes with their ability to learn.  During programs, clients gain experience using this skill as they begin to clear up many of their basic confusions regarding letters, words, numbers and other language symbols.  They also learn to use special study skills uniquely adapted to their way of learning, thinking, perceiving and controlling focus.

What can I expect to gain from the program?

The Davis Dyslexia Correction® Program has a 97% success rate!* A typical program will provide for a significant improvement by the last day of the program. This is a literacy jump start; future progress is determined by the client’s motivation, continued use of tools, and completion of Symbol Mastery after the program.

Clients leave the program with the tools of basic literacy—including:

  • The ability to recognize and correct disorientations at will
  • The improved ability to maintain and focus attention
  • The knowledge of how to eliminate confusions in words and symbols
  • Increased self-confidence and ability in reading, writing, math or physical skills
  • A successful and effective method of learning and studying that can be used throughout a lifetime

Also, expect to see positive changes in the self-esteem of the client and a marked difference in the client’s overall learning abilities. Further progress is based upon the client’s continued motivation and determination to carry on with Symbol Mastery and the reading exercise. The client may also see improvements in coordination, time management, and listening skills.

Implementing the tools into everyday life, as well as doing Davis Symbol Mastery® follow-up on trigger words, is necessary to ensure continued success with the program.

*Though results may vary from client to client based upon their individual goals, it is not uncommon to see improvements in reading 2 or more grade levels by the end of the week. For my older clients, I have seen 9 grade level of improvement.

Does Training Gifted Minds diagnose dyslexia?

Dyslexia is not a disease — it is a thinking and learning style. Therefore, it cannot be “diagnosed” in the same way that a medical condition can be determined. 

There is no uniformly accepted criteria for diagnosis, so professionals may disagree on whether or not a person is dyslexic, and the labels they use to describe various types of dyslexia — or whether to use the word “dyslexia” at all.

What is the difference between screening, assessment, and diagnosis?

In general, dyslexia is diagnosed on the basis of tests or evaluations used to measure a person’s learning characteristics and severity of symptoms.

A screening is generally a short, informal test which is used either to determine whether further testing or warranted, or to determine whether an individual is likely to be helped by a specific program. The term assessment may sometimes be used to mean an informal screening, or it could be used to mean more extensive testing. It also is commonly used when the testing is focused only on ascertaining academic skill levels, such as a reading assessment.

Diagnostic testing usually means that the person will be given several different kind of tests, in an effort to get a full picture of their learning needs. Depending on the background and qualifications of the professional doing the testing, it may include tests related to vision and hearing as well as tests related to intellectual functioning and achievement.

Generally the professional will give a detailed written report summarizing the findings, and may also include recommendations as to the types of intervention or support that would be appropriate for the individual.

Training Gifted Minds provides a screening to determine whether or not an individual is likely to benefit from a Davis® Program. Training Gifted Minds also offers assessments to evaluation a child’s reading, writing, comprehension, brain development for mathematical concepts, and mathematical abilities.

What comes after the program?

The client will leave the program with all of the tools, understanding, and materials necessary to implement the program into their every day lives and achieve positive results. To ensure continued success and improvement after the Davis Dyslexia Correction® Program, the client should continue using the Davis tools, follow the schedule for reading exercises and Koosh Ball, and complete the entire trigger word list using Symbol Mastery. Completing trigger words will vary depending upon each client’s personal goals and support system.

How do you know if the program is for your child and will it work?

 If by the time your child is in third grade and is still struggling with phonics, reading, comprehension, or struggling through homework; he/she could be dyslexic. A dyslexic child can be given tools that will help with his/her schooling. If the child uses the tools, the child will never suffer with the negative issues of dyslexia. They will only experience the gifts of dyslexia!  

To ensure that the program will be effective and beneficial, an Initial Consultation and Perceptual Ability Assessment are required.  It evaluates how aware the child is of his/her learning difficulties and his/her level of motivation to correct them. Maturity is a factor in these qualifications, so children under 8 may not qualify, however we do offer a Young Learners Program for ages 5-8.

The success of a Davis® Program depends on the child. The child MUST want the program and take responsibility for his/her tools. During the assessment, it is determined if the child is motivated to do that.

Significant improvement, often two or more grade levels, is usually seen by the last day of the program! Even greater results are seen as the client continues using the tools, doing the exercises, and completing the Symbol Mastery list.

Training Gifted Minds also offers reading/writing assessments for different age groups.

Can this program cure dyslexia?

No. Dyslexia is not a disease to be cured or a deformity or malfunction of the brain.

Does the program help with other learning disabilities?

Yes! The Davis® Program addresses reading issues as well as dysgraphia (handwriting difficulties), dyscalculia (problems with math), ADHD (attention deficit disorder), problems with coordination and balance, auditory perception deficits, and problems with order and time.

Who can receive this program?

Adults or children at least 8*years old who have the dyslexia. The client must be eager, willing and motivated to complete the program and the follow up work for their own achievement and benefit and not to please someone else. The client must be willing to work hard and have lots of fun.

 *Davis Young Learners for 5-7 year olds

Does this program work with adults?

Yes! At the age of 38, Ron Davis discovered the tools that allowed him to correct perception and, for the first time in his life, read an entire book in one sitting. After his discovery, the program was further tested and developed by working with adult dyslexic volunteers.

Motivated adults bring a level of maturity and self-awareness that make the program extremely rewarding and successful!

Training Gifted Minds has helped adults of all ages to improve their reading, writing, focus, and stress-levels. My oldest client was 81 years old.

How does the program work for home schooled children?

The Davis® Program blends beautifully with the home school setting. Upon completion of the one week, 30-hour program, the facilitator will provide for you an overview of how to proceed for the next 4-6 months using the materials that you will be provided with.

What is the difference between the Davis®Program and Orton-Gillingham?  

Orton-Gillingham is phonics based…teaching/drilling on the sounds of phonograms, rules of decoding and encoding, and intense repetition. This works on the deficit of the dyslexic and over a long time can show progress.
The Davis® Program works with the dyslexic strength of thinking in pictures and builds meaning through hands on mastery of what other programs call high frequency or sight words. In the Davis® Program, we call these trigger words because they trigger disorientations that cause confusion. The Davis® Program builds a solid foundation for focus and learning and empowers the dyslexic to utilize personal tools to control and correct the learning issues that have been developed. Since it works with the dyslexic strength, the change happens quickly….often the client sees a growth in reading of two or more grade levels in 30 hours.”

Why is the Davis® Program “drug-free?”

One of the main goals of the Davis® Program is to enable a person to correct their perceptions and control their attention on their own without the use of medication. A person under the influence of certain medications is not able to experience the contrast and improvement that voluntary control of orientation has on their learning ability as well as their creativity.

Medicines such as antihistamines, codeine-based cough syrups, stimulants (Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera, etc.), and antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) should be avoided.

These medications inhibit a person’s ability to use creative thought, or to visualize or picture things using imagination. This becomes significant when doing a Davis® Program. During the Program, clients are asked to use multi-dimensional thought and perceptual abilities that are quite natural for them. Psychoactive drugs inhibit the individual’s ability to use these talents.

In order to ensure that the client receives the full benefits of the Davis® Program, full disclosure of current medications being taken (including non prescription medications or natural, herbal remedies), is essential. Also, whenever possible, the client should refrain from certain medications for at least one week prior to starting a Program. However, no prescribed medication should ever be discontinued without seeking the advice and permission of the physician who prescribed it.

This doesn’t mean that it is impossible for a medicated person to do the Davis® Program. Medications such as antibiotics and aspirin, when necessary to treat a temporary physical problem, are acceptable. Also acceptable are medications for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma.

From Dyslexia the Gift web site, www.dyslexia.com © 1995-2006 Davis Dyslexia Association International Reprinted with Permission

Professional services described as Davis®, including Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®,  Davis® Attention Mastery,  Davis® Math Mastery, and Davis® Reading Program for Young Learners  may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators or Specialists by Davis Dyslexia Association International.

Davis Autism Approach®, Davis® Stepping Stones, and Davis® Concepts for Life are trademarks of Ron Davis Autism Foundation. Commercial use of these trademarks to identify educational, instructional, or therapeutic services requires licensing by the trademark owner.

Cinda Osterman
Copyright © 2019 Training Gifted Minds