Pioneering International Dyslexia Expert to Visit

11 June 2004

Pioneering International Dyslexia Expert to Visit NZ

Internationally acclaimed best selling author and expert on dyslexia, Ronald D Davis, will be touring New Zealand for the first time in July 2004.

Breakthrough research in the USA by Davis, author of the internationally acclaimed book ‘The Gift of Dyslexia’, and ‘The Gift of Learning’, indicates that dyslexia is a compound of simple factors which can be dealt with one by one.

Davis will be in New Zealand from 11 to 22 July 2004 to conduct a series of lectures and workshops presenting his breakthrough methods for treating people with dyslexia. He has helped many thousands of adult and child dyslexics all over the world to read and to understand that their way of learning is a special talent.

Considered autistic from infancy, Davis grew up labeled a “dummy” at home and a “mental retard” at school. Despite his severe learning disabilities he became a successful engineer, businessman and sculptor. Davis was functionally illiterate until the age of 38 when he discovered a method that allowed him to read a book cover-to-cover without struggling for the first time in his life.

Ron Davis believes that dyslexics have visual, multi-dimensional minds that are less predisposed to word-based thinking. It is this difference in perception and thinking style that causes dyslexics to not easily recognize printed symbols such as letters of the alphabet and written words. According to Davis, if control can be gained over perceptual disorientation by using teaching methods adapted to picture thinkers then a dyslexic person will learn to read and write without problems.

To put dyslexia in context, some inspirational famous dyslexics are Richard Taylor (Weta Workshop), Richard Branson, Orlando Bloom, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison to name a few.

Davis has researched and developed breakthrough training procedures known as the Davis Dyslexia Correction Program. A unique aspect of his work is a series of perceptual and kinesthetic exercises called Orientation Counseling which quickly and easily enable people prone to disorientation and who suffer from learning difficulties to control the mental processes that cause distorted perceptions of letters, words and numerals.

Davis has also developed creative learning procedures called Davis Symbol Mastery which teaches dyslexic students to easily think with symbols and words. The process involves students modeling symbols and word concepts in clay, a multi-sensory process that enables them to exercise their creativity. With this approach, learning is permanent.

DDA Pacific Director, Catherine Churton commented “I have been licensed as a Davis Facilitator since December 2001 and Specialist since June 2003, and in that time I have had the honour of working with students ranging in age from 8 to 58. It was through family difficulties that I discovered ‘The Gift of Dyslexia’ by Ron Davis. We participated in many different processes but none had the life-changing effect produced by the Davis methods”.

“Using his approach I am able to give my students the opportunity to learn successfully and confidently, gaining a higher sense of self-esteem in the process”, Ms Churton added.

Public Lectures Mr. Davis will present three-hour lectures in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to inform parents and educators on his breakthrough methods. The program will cover a brief history on Ron, exploring how he developed his methods, and will examine issues including how dyslexics think, how dyslexia develops, how dyslexics learn best and how the condition can be corrected.

Public Lecture Dates and Venues:

Auckland: Tuesday July 13, Concert Chamber Auckland Town Hall - 7.30pm
Christchurch: Friday July 16, Limes Room Christchurch Town Hall - 7.30pm
Wellington: Sunday July 18, Ilott Theatre Wellington Town Hall - 7.30pm

Lectures cost $29.95 and bookings can be made through Ticketek from May 24 2004.
Fundamentals of Dyslexia Correction Workshop In a rare opportunity for participants Ron Davis will be conducting the Fundamentals Workshop alongside his wife Alice Davis in Auckland. The Fundamentals Workshop is held over four days (30 hours) and is an introduction to the basic theories, principles and application of all the procedures described in ‘The Gift of Dyslexia’. The course is on between the July 21 – July 24 and is limited to 30 people so early bookings are essential. To find out more information go to: http://www.dyslexiacorrection.co.nz

Copies of ’The Gift of Dyslexia’ are available upon request. Ron Davis will be available for interview prior to and during his New Zealand tour.

http://www.dyslexiacorrection.co.nz

About Davis Dyslexia Association International (DDAI)

Ron and Alice Davis founded Davis Dyslexia Association International (DDAI) in 1995. Its goals are to increase worldwide awareness about the positive aspects of dyslexia and related learning styles and to present methods for improving literacy. DDAI is accomplishing these goals largely through Ron Davis’ international lecture tours, professional workshops, certification and licensing programs, its high profile website www.dyslexia.com and its international quarterly newsletter, The Dyslexic Reader.

In just nine years DDAI has established branches all over the world including the Pacific (Australia/New Zealand). Each of these branches offers information services in local languages and various levels of professional training in the Davis methods. Those who undergo the full training regimen become licensed and certified Davis Facilitators. DDAI provides referral services and technical support to more than 315 licensed Davis Facilitators who offer the Davis Dyslexia Correction Program in twenty-eight nations and in eighteen languages. The Davis methods claim a 97% success rate correcting (not curing) dyslexia and related conditions such as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, attention difficulties and dyspraxia.

About DDA-Pacific

Davis Dyslexia Association Pacific (DDA-Pacific) is the trading name of Educate Pacific Limited, a New Zealand Registered Company (Company Number1398443). Educate Pacific Ltd is the licensee of the Davis Dyslexia Association Facilitator Training Programs for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. As such it administers all Davis workshops and professional training in these territories. Educate Pacific Ltd Directors are Catherine Churton and Milt Barlow. Catherine is a licensed, accredited Davis Facilitator and a licensed Davis Supervisor Specialist.

ENDS

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