"This course
doesn't rely on phonics, repetition or drill but rather deals with the
issues raised by dyslexia and corrects them"
The
Breakthrough
Ron Davis, author of "The Gift of Dyslexia" believes that dyslexia is a result of an inherent mental gift or
talent.
People who develop dyslexia think in pictures, rather than
words; they are imaginative and creative and they try to solve problems by
looking at the whole picture, rather than working step-by-step. The 'correction'
course relies on using the mental talents that dyslexic people share to
overcome the learning problems.
To
do this, students learn to follow a different approach to learning
which suits their learning style. When dyslexic students recognise their
mental talents, they develop a renewed sense of self esteem and confidence.
When they employ study methods which capitalise on their talents,
progress is very rapid.
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The key components of the course
Two major components of the process are
counselling and the mastery of symbols.
Counselling helps the dyslexic students
recognise and control the mental state that leads to distorted and confused
perceptions of letters, words, numerals and other symbols. Through a simple
mental technique, the student learns to turn off the thought processes that
cause misperception and then restore their minds to a relaxed and focused state,
suitable for reading and other studies.
Once orientation is learned, the student is ready to
build the conceptual skills that allow him or her to overcome problems stemming
from dyslexia.
Mastering symbols allows dyslexic students to learn to
think with words and symbols and so develop the ability to read easily and
with full comprehension.
Using clay, students initially work with the
alphabet and punctuation marks to ensure that they have an accurate
perception of these symbols and an understanding of their meaning. Students then
use clay to model the trigger words (these are abstract words that dyslexics
can't form mental pictures for, such as THE, TO or WHEN).
In this way the
picture below of the rat is a metaphor for the noun "rat"
The student makes a
three-dimensional clay model of the meaning of the word, together with a model
of the letters of the word. With this approach, learning is permanent.
The program sessions are designed to suit
the individual's particular problems identified during the initial assessment.
Parents are coached into supporting the student use and
develop their newly acquired tools to correct their dyslexia.
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About Kay Distel
M App
Sci
Kay Distel's background is 20 years as a
Psychotherapist, Trainer and Researcher. She trained in the UK in the 1980's and
whilst there worked in Mental Health and as a Trainer/Staff Development Officer
in the Social Services.
On returning home in 1989, she started a
part time practice Sound Education, whilst she further studied perception and
learning for her Masters in Applied Science(1996). After this study she
further trained in the Tomatis Listening Training process and
established this as her primary practice in 1997.
Kay sponsored Ron Davis to Australia (author of
'The Gift of Dyslexia') in 1996, in an effort to get more information about
innovative dyslexia programs.
She has been a professional
course facilitator since 1999.
Kay
with Ron Davis
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The First Step-Assessment Meeting
We meet to assess both whether the client
is suitable and whether the client finds me suitable to facilitate their
learning. We both need to have a positive attitude towards making change.
A summary of strengths and weaknesses is completed and together
we reach agreement on what the focus of attention for the course should
be,
eg. reading, writing, controlling attention etc.
As I intend to help the client become a self-directed
learner, so as to solve their own problems, motivation and a realistic attitude
towards 'the problems' are essential qualities I'm looking for.
We
provide counselling and training support
for:
- reading
- writing (dysgraphia).
- mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, etc)
(dyscalculia)
- balance and coordination problems.
(dyspraxia).
- hyperactivity, ADD, ADHD
- life-skills.
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Course Details
The course is an intensive
30 hours
(taken over 5-6 days) with
review/follow up times as required. Support training for
parents and others, and all resources needed for home study
are part of the package.
Kay works in Sydney and has
residential programs on the South Coast of NSW. Special times
available for other areas.
For more information on the
program
Read the book:
Order
this Book
Read the
Article:
Case Report:
http://www.dyslexiatalk.com/cgi-bin/fom/fom.cgi?file=65&
Contact Kay Distel
Sydney:(02) 9634-2510
(main)
or 02 4423 1140
(South Coast)
or Email
Please change 'at' to @ in your mail program
kay'at'soundeducation.com.au
I work in Sydney, do residential
programs on the south coast of NSW and have times available for outreach to other areas
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Course
Feedback
What the parents say about the process
- It has been a marvellous
journey out of low self-esteem, confusion and frustration to
a releasing of their gift and more importantly to an
understanding of what dyslexia is and is not.
- My girls now have the sparkle
back in their eyes that I used to see when they were
toddlers.
- …she no longer makes up the
story as she reads.
- The follow-up interview was
particularly helpful in correcting our coaching methods. He has better
understanding of himself and is more confident in coping
with the difficulties he experiences at school
- His concept of multiplication
has at long last been
established, and I am seeing the
beginning of an understanding of
division
- His handwriting has improved
.
- She used orientation during a
Maths exam and for the first time in her
High school years passed a Maths exam She got
93%
- He no longer made the once
common error of reversed letters in his written
work
- A more positive attitude toward
learning
- He's getting 9/10 for spelling
which would have been impossible before
- The program helped control
temper and reduced his nightmares.
- Kay presents the program in a professional manner
and with an empathy that helped my son feel comfortable and
enjoy the work
- The follow-up sessions were well structured and to
my surprise lead to further improvements to strategies at
home
- From my first contact, I was impressed with Kay's
caring and professional approach.
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