Davis® Mastery for Dyslexia (literacy program)

What are the key aspects of a program?

The two major components are Orientation Counseling and Symbol Mastery. Davis Dyslexia program always includes both of these components.

Davis Orientation Counseling® teaches dyslexic students how to recognize and control their dyslexia. Through a simple technique, the students learn to “turn off” what is causing their problems. Once Orientation is learned, they are then able to “focus”. The student is then ready to build the skills that will allow them to overcome problems stemming from dyslexia.

Davis Symbol Mastery® gives dyslexic students the ability to think with symbols and words, so they can learn to read easily and with full comprehension. The student uses clay to model trigger words- the short abstract words, frequently encountered in reading, such as and, the, to, or it. These words cause problems when dyslexic students cannot form a mental picture of them. Through Symbol Mastery, the student makes a three-dimensional clay model of the meaning of each word, together with a model of the letters of the words. With this approach, learning is permanent.

We use clay to make a picture of the definition of those pictureless words that cause confusion. Once the model is mastered (via Davis Symbol Mastery®) that word no longer causes confusion and mistakes. The picture (to the right) is a model a client made of the word “and” meaning "also; in addition; as well as". As you can see, she created eggs and bacon to remind her of the meaning - eggs as well as bacon. Before her program, the word "and" caused her to lose her place while she was reading or turned into "the" in her mind causing mistakes of reading and comprehension. Neither of these things happen to her anymore.

One of the many other skills which are learned is three steps of easy reading. The Davis Dyslexia Correction program does not use phonics, drill, or repetition (which doesn’t work well for dyslexics). Instead, we teach three powerful reading exercises that use the dyslexic's innate picture thinking ability to their advantage. The client quickly improves competence, confidence, and comprehension.

After completion of a one-week program with a Davis facilitator, clients experience a marked improvement in their reading. However, the individual has follow-up work to complete at home. When the follow-up work is done, the individual is considered to be a "corrected dyslexic" who can read and write as others at their level. We do not attempt to "cure" dyslexia. To do that would possibly remove the dyslexic's amazing picture thinking ability. Instead, we offer the dyslexic client tools to control their abilities to allow them to read and learn successfully.

Dyslexia 6: why words like "the”, “enough" and "is" are such a problem

“The Davis Program that Carl teaches was beyond informative and life changing for my son! In just one week I have seen my son change from an “I can't boy” to an “I can boy”! He has built confidence in reading and is now willingly reading on a daily basis. He has also been given the tools to help with his daily struggles. Carl was beyond patient with my son who struggled for many, many years of being “given up on” due to his learning disabilities, ADHD, ADD, ODD etc. I truly wish more parents were aware that there is help there and the Davis program really works, my son proved it to me! Thank you, Carl”!!!!

Amanda, mother of an 8.5 year Client. 2019