Some common questions about the Davis Dyslexia Correction® course for children

• How long does it take?

The total length of the course is 36 hours and usually runs from a Monday to a Friday (30 hours) with a further review day some time after the course (6 hours) to see how you are getting on. It is possible to do the course over several weeks, especially if you live locally, by splitting the week or spreading the time in another way.

• Does it work for everyone?

It could work for everyone, but there are factors that need to be in place first.

It is important that the student is motivated and willing to make changes. Sometimes a child is not ready and that’s the advice a parent will be given. It is also important that the parent understands what is involved, the principles behind the work and is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure the follow up work is carried out.

• Will I be able to do everything I want to do after 30 hours?

The course is not a “quick fix” neither are there any guarantees. Ronald Davis has made some remarkable discoveries about the causes of dyslexia. The 30-hour course starts the process of change. By the end of the course, the student should understand how to use the tools and complete the changes he/she wants to make. There is work to do at the end of the 30 hours. How long this takes is up to the individual student.

• What is the youngest age a person can do the course?

That depends on the maturity of the child and also on their motivation but generally it is better if they are at least 8 years old.

• Do you have parents of children who have done the course, whom I could talk to?

Yes, just ask and you can be put in touch

• What do you do on the course?

The tools for correcting dyslexia are shown to the individual. This is done within the context of the goals of the individual child. Please note that there is no pre-set agenda, curriculum or syllabus. The content and pace of the course depends on the child.

For the course to be effective, I will work on those areas that the child wants to work on. The parent’s part is to support that process and support the child. Sometimes children cannot face working on something that is very difficult for them. This has to happen later, when confidence is restored.

• What help do I get as a parent in supporting my child?

You will be kept informed as to what has been done each day, and invited to look at anything the child wants to show you. I will also be available to answer any additional questions you might have or to discuss areas of concern to you or your child.

You will be invited to the last afternoon of the course and shown how to follow-up the work afterwards. I will be available to talk through any questions or issues you might have.
After the course, I will be available by telephone or e-mail to support the follow-up process.

• Do I have to be the one who does the support? We just ‘clash’ when we try to do anything to do with learning.

No, you don’t but the person doing the follow up work needs to be carefully chosen and needs to be someone who the child feels confident with and who will not remove the child’s responsibility and control over his or her dyslexia. The support person needs to have read “The Gift of Dyslexia” and understood why the methods work as they are, rather than in another or changed form. The support person needs to attend the final afternoon of the course if possible and be willing to liase with me, should any difficulties arise.

• What about the school?

If the child and the parent wish, a short report can be written about the course, for the school. I will be willing to talk to teachers with the consent of the parent.

• What do I do next?

If you want to take things further, the next stage is to make an appointment for an initial interview. This will take about two hours. The student will get a chance to ask questions and to talk about what he or she wants from the course. I will gather a profile of the student’s strengths and problem areas. I will also do the perceptual ability test as described in the book “The Gift of Dyslexia”.

Time will also be given to the parent(s) to ask any questions and to explore whether the course is suitable for the child. There is a charge of £70 for this.

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Professional services described as Davis®, Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counselling®, Davis Math Mastery SM and Davis Learning Strategies® may only be provided by persons who are
employed by a licensed Davis Specialist, or who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators by
Davis Dyslexia Association International.