Professional services described as Davis®, Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, and Davis Math Mastery® 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.

Dyslexia in New Zealand
 

Raewyn Matheson

I am a qualified primary teacher who, after stepping away from classroom teaching, specialised in Specific Learning Difficulties and taught clients one to one using the traditional methods, for six years. Frustration with the lack of student progress and continual puzzlement over what these wonderful intelligent people were 'seeing' when looking at a page of print, made me increasingly dissatisfied with these methods.

To believe they had a learning disability was unacceptable as they could definitely learn a wide variety of things. I felt that, if their lack of learning was due to a 'glitch' or 'brain malfunction' or 'brain damage,' then it would be consistent. But it was not. This pointed to another reason for their problems and I was determined to find it.

The Breakthrough

In 1999 while researching dyslexia, I came across the book, The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis. Reading the book has given me the understanding I needed to really help my students and correct the root causes of dyslexia and related disorders. I now understand what they 'see,' is in fact how they 'think' and the answer is to make sure they get both clearly.

I now view dyslexia as a "teaching difficulty" not a "learning difficulty".

These bright, talented, intelligent people have to be taught in a way that suits their way of thinking. When this is done, they improve markedly in a week and the progress from thereon is steady and permanent. The difference it makes to their confidence and self-esteem is the greatest gift of all.

At last they have confirmation of what they already knew, deep down..... that they can learn.

Training

I set off in July 2000 to Burlingame, California, to find out more. This first course was taken by Ron Davis and it was wonderful to hear first hand how he came to the realisations that led to his establishing the Davis Dyslexia Correction® Methods.

I made the big decision to become qualified. This has been a huge commitment (especially financially!), and I have subsequently made three more trips overseas to complete my training.

I am now Licensed and Certified by Davis Dyslexia Association International®.

Davis Learning Strategies

My passion has been to see the Davis strategies being used in schools and to this end have trained to become licensed Davis Learning Strategies®(DLS) Mentor for teachers using DLS in their classrooms. Courses for teachers have been provided by DDA Pacific in New zealand over the last two years. Check out the Young Learners page for details.

Footnote

Once you have a new understanding about dyslexia, keep trying to educate others. If we are not to continue to waste the talents of dyslexic people we have to change attitudes to dyslexia. It is not a handicap, but a talent. We must not allow society's inability to recognise genius, other than through academic skills, to create a handicap and destroy self esteem.

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