Testimonials

Gail 2023 

Happiness and Success

Before beginning the Davis Program, my son was really struggling in school.  His self-esteem was very low, and despite being identified as “learning disabled” he just wasn’t making any progress no matter how hard he tried.  He really believed that he was not a smart person and not able to succeed in school.

I read the book, “The Gift of Dyslexia” by Ron Davis and I realized that it described my son and his situation, so I started looking for a facilitator.  We chose Carl because of his personal experience and because of his wonderful ability to engage and motivate students.  My son was shocked to find out that he was not alone, and he was eager to work with Carl.  Carl quickly became an important and special mentor to my son. They completed the Davis Dyslexia Correction program and the Davis Attention Mastery Program along with a writing module and then we continued to work on Trigger words and the Math Program at home.

Since beginning the Davis Program, we have seen an incredible transformation in my son over the last year and a half.  He has not only become a better and more confident reader but also a happier person.  We are forever grateful to Carl and his expert skills in teaching the Davis Program.  He has provided so much support to all of us and guided us through step by step.  Our son is doing significantly better in school, reading more for pleasure, keeping himself more organized and overall is more confident because he now has the skills and the ability to control his Dyslexia.

Thank you, Carl, for being so dedicated to your students and families!  We are very lucky to have such a great Davis facilitator in our city.  The Davis Program works, and we would recommend it to anyone who has Dyslexia and wants to unlock their potential.

Gail Spencer

A Mothers experience 2022

My son William was a ‘lucky’ dyslexic: his learning differences were identified early on, and he received professional intervention right away, as well as the unflagging support of his school and home. But despite this help, and his own diligence, William was still not getting anywhere. In grade three he could only read at a grade one level, and this was beginning to affect his self-esteem. Something else had to be done!

Around this time a colleague recommended Davis. I researched the program, met with two local practitioners, and chose Carl because he could be a peer teacher to my son. I really wasn’t sure how the Davis method would work, when all our other efforts had failed, but I was willing to try anything.

The results were incredible: after the first full time week, William’s reading level jumped by a year and a half! It took a lot of effort at home, but by the time we finished the trigger words, William was reading at grade level, and his confidence soared. He began reading for fun and now reads voraciously.

We were so impressed with the results of the reading program that we followed through with the Attention Mastery program. Learning to read was important but this program has taught William (who also has ADD) how to manage life. In our home we now have a common language to talk about life skills such as self-organization and planning, which is so valuable now that he is a teen.

As a parent, watching William finally succeed has been so satisfying, but more importantly, I know William now has the skills and confidence to go on and be a ‘good grownup’. He can focus himself, he can read, and he can stay organized, all because of the Davis method. Carl worked with us every step of the way and kept William on task. He was and continues to be a giant support to me well after his own work with William ended. I cannot thank him enough for changing my son’s life. I encourage any other worried parents out there to give this a try! It works!

Bettina Hamacher 2020

This program works! For the first time in 10 years my son found someone who understands exactly what he is going through and how difficult reading and school life has been. He gave up on trying to read a few years ago and now he picks up a book and wants to read it! His self-confidence has shot right up. If you are a parent of a dyslexic child, you can imagine how special that is and it is all thanks to the Davis Program and Carl!

Tara, mother of a 10 year old Client.

This was a wonderful experience for my son. We had him evaluated by the school board, but there still seemed to be a major disconnect between his IEP and actual results. Part of me wondered why we bothered with an IEP - nothing seemed to be changing, his teachers were still frustrated.

I wish we had spent the money on this program to start with, instead of the IEP stuff. Carl is remarkably compassionate, patient, and excited about his clients’ potential. My son was extremely comfortable with him. This program will make you wonder why these tools are not common knowledge in the school system. At the end of the program, after only a few days, I was amazed by the tools my son suddenly had for focusing. The tools in this program should have a central role in our schools! And we left with a bag full of useful instructions and items to keep the learning going - far more than I expected. Thank you for your wisdom and empathy, Carl. This changes everything.

Helen, mother of a 13 year old girl two years after a program

Taking the Davis Program through Carl Nigi has been a great benefit to my youngest daughter. With two dyslexic children of my own, I had previously purchased and been training in using another expensive, laborious system but it did not work for my youngest daughter at all. We were frustrated and discouraged; we did not know what to do. Then we heard about Carl. After just her first week of training with Carl, her reading improved 3-4 grade levels. She has now completed her training at home and is a much more settled, confident, happy teenager. It has been fun to watch her “Ah-ha! Moments.” The Davis Program has not only dramatically improved her reading skills, but it has also helped her to understand herself and like herself more. Carl’s commitment and enthusiasm is infectious. He really cares about the people that walk through his door.

     A grateful parent, Helen

Leah, mother of two teenage sons both with ADHD

This is still one of the best gifts I have ever given my amazing boys. Thank you, Carl, for giving them the gift of being able to show and know they are extraordinary. They will now soar instead of just coping. They do not have a disability; they learn differently and thank you for teaching them the difference! You are amazing!

Amanda, mother of Jordan 13 year old boy

When I called about the Davis program, it was the first time a real solution was being presented to Jordan's difficulties. After booking an appointment for an assessment, I prayed Jordan would agree to do the program. I felt in my heart we were finally on the right path. Ever since Jordan agreed to do your program, I have been doing an inner happy dance. Since Jordan is much more reserved than me, I try to play it cool.

 It`s hard to summarize what this experience has meant for Jordan. He now fully understands who he is and the gift he has. Although he is only thirteen, he has an honest and open approach to who he is. The Davis Program has given Jordan the key pieces of his puzzle and the image of his life is now clear to him. Last night he shared this with me: "I feel like my life is like a dirt road with a bunch of potholes but all the big potholes is filled. Sure, I still have some potholes, but they are small and won't cause too many problems."

As for my journey, from a mother's point of view, I have total peace about Jordan now. I could not say that three short weeks ago. My greatest source of stress came from wondering how Jordan would make it through high school. I have had well meaning teachers and friends tell me things about Jordan I knew were not true. At our lowest point, 2 years ago, Jordan was extremely depressed, and he had to seek counselling to help him manage his stress at school. At that time, I was told by the school that Jordan was simply trying to manipulate us. As a mother, it was heart breaking that many people did not believe Jordan about his obstacles. Now that I have read Ron's book The Gift of Dyslexia and Jordan has completed your program, life has changed.

Up until now, I have felt like a passenger on Jordan's educational journey. I was in the passenger seat, scared stiff holding the wheel with one hand most of the time. I could not let go in fear that Jordan was going to crash. Now, I have let go of the wheel. Jordan is in full control of his car, and I have willingly climbed in the backseat. Heck, I even have my head leaned back with my eyes closed, that is how much I trust he is equipped and able to drive safely. He has also informed me that he will soon be kicking me out of the car. Ouch...learning to let go is not easy for mothers but he knows I am his biggest supporter and encourager.

Thank you, Carl, for your honest and upfront approach. This program was a success for Jordan because Ron is a genius, and you are an exceptional person. You were a perfect fit for my son and have made a huge impact on him. Please know that these small words, thank you, mean so much.

Blessings, Amanda.

Liz, mother of Madie an 8 year old girl

From the time my daughter entered grade 1, I knew she learned differently, but I did not know how.  I saw her struggle with reading, focussing, and concentrating in class and conceptualizing some basic social skills.  It soon became evident to me that the traditional way of teaching and learning wasn't working for her and she would often 'zone out.'  On the flip side, I was amazed at her attention to detail, her ability to recall details of events and experiences as far back as when she was 2 1/2 years old.

After continued struggles in grade 2, she was assessed and was given a diagnosis of ADD and a personal learning plan at school.  I realized quickly that the plan provided by the school was not very helpful and my daughter was making minimal to no progress at all.  I saw her self-esteem start to deteriorate through tears as she made attempts to read and comprehend word problems in math.  After reading The Gift of Dyslexia, I was a bit sceptical, but I saw much of my daughter in what I read.  I began asking her questions about how and what she thought, and I was amazed that she described most of what and how dyslexia was described in the book.  I came across Carl Nigi through a friend and after meeting Carl and having my 8 year-old daughter assessed; we enrolled her in a Davis Program.

Carl was a friendly, warm, and caring facilitator.  He earned my daughter's trust, and she made leaps and bounds with him in terms of her reading and focussing.  More specifically, he had her reading at a grade 3 level (in English) within one week.  This was simply mind blowing to me as she has never attended school in English or been taught even the basics of reading in English.  So far, the progress and enthusiasm I have seen in her is almost overwhelming. As a parent, I am thrilled to finally understand how her beautiful mind works and to help her utilize the skills she has been given.  She is now able to use her gift to her advantage, and I now have a greater understanding of how she learns.  

If you identify with anything you might have read in this testimonial or The Gift of Dyslexia, I strongly recommend the Davis Program, facilitated by Carl Nigi.  Carl genuinely cares about his clients and their families; he takes time to answer any and all questions and he has a natural facilitation ability with children.  Thank-you Carl for your amazing work with my daughter, I feel like you have helped "unlock" her mind! 

Liz

Lucie, mother of Krys, 14 years old boy.

My son has had several labels over the year, including ADHD, OCD even mild mental deficiency.  But as his mother, I knew there was more to him then what the tests were showing, something the doctors and psychologists did not see. He is an extremely intelligent 14 year old boy with huge potential.

One major thing was holding him back…he just could not read. At 13 years old, he was reading at a grade 1 level (on a good day).  The challenge was to try to get him to read something that might interest him, a 13 year old boy does not find much interest in reading grade one books!!  Finally, his grade 7 teacher confirmed my suspicion…he might be dyslexic.  Which was a question I had asked all previous teachers and doctors, but no one would give me a straight answer, I always had a sense that they were trying to avoid the topic, or it was something they did not want to pursue. Or maybe they were thinking “your problems are way bigger than that, lady!”  After consideration, I decided that I had to take the matter into my own hands for my son’s best interest. When I found Carl’s website, I had no idea what I was getting into.  I knew nothing of Davis or dyslexia other then it affected people’s ability to read. I felt desperate and wanted to help my son at all cost.

To make a long story short, since last March, my son attended three of Carl’s programs: the Dyslexia program for his reading, the Attention mastery program for his ADHD hyperactivity, as well as a one day Handwriting program. The results are amazing. For the first time, my son has found someone who completely understands him, but also, that can help us, his parents to understand him. Carl is so honest and to the point.  He understands the struggles and obstacles that a dyslexic person faces and is not only able to give them tools to deal with them, but he is also able to explain the complex subject of dyslexia in such a simple and comprehensive way.  I will never forget my son’s expression when Carl told him that the problem to all his challenges was dyslexia and that he was able to help him if he wanted to. It was finally confirmed that, “no I am not stupid after all!” there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

As a parent, what I like the most about the program, other then it changes your child in the most positive way, is that it gives the responsibility back to the child. It showed us how to support our son in a positive way but always giving him back what belongs to him. In other words, he was given all the tools necessary to learn to read and function normally; it is now up to him to do the work.  That is a life lesson that he has learned at a very young age, a lesson that I can say many adults don’t even have the opportunity to learn.  Six months after the programs is my son still struggling with reading, yes of course he could hardly read at a grade two level. However, now he is reading at about grade four- five and improving all the time. Carl ensures me that once he has finished his support work, he will be reading at grade level or very close to it.  The important part is that he now has tools to work with, he understands himself and his challenges and he is able to understand that his future is in his own hands and that he is the director of it all.

Since starting with Carl in March 2015, we have had so much positive feedback in regard to my son’s behavior, especially since he started school.  Our son has gone from being a scared, extremely insecure, hyperactive uncooperative and immature child to being a confident, grounded, mature and responsible 14 year old man in a matter of months.  The change in him is phenomenal and almost hard to believe.  The teachers at school noticed it right away when they saw him again in September. 

I do not believe this would have been possible without all the knowledge that Carl has shared with us through the Davis Program. InCarl one finds more than a Davis facilitator, one finds a person that really cares, truly understands, and is a hundred percent committed to the success of his client.  Not to mention that he becomes an amazing friend along the way. My son looks up to him tremendously and I am sure he will always remember him as the “cool guy who changed his life”.

Thank you, Carl, for doing what you do.