References
David Whyte : a scientist, Hamilton
"I first read about this technique for overcoming dyslexia in 1998. It was the first theory that I had come across that made sense to me. It was clear that this theory was much more coherent than any other and it could explain why other theories seemed to work for a time, or had some improvement before relapse.
It was the belief that this was the correct explanation for dyslexia that led me to experiment, with some friends, with this technique. The results from this further confirmed my belief in this theory. However my progress was hindered by the lack of tutors in this area, as there were none in the Waikato or Auckland region.
Some time later I was able to travel to Taranaki to undertake training with Raewyn Matheson.
The results from this training have been staggering. With new barriers being broken down daily.
The major breakthroughs have been:
- Words have letters now! For the first time words have individual letters.
- I know the sounds of the letters.
- I know that the words have letters that make sounds. I can sound out new words for the first time ever. I know when I have spelt things wrong as they don't look/sound right. I can attempt to spell words I don't know how to spell and get them almost right or right.
- I know when I am taking stuff in when I am reading, and when I am just reading and nothing is "going in."
- I see punctuation marks now, things like -, : and "". I know what they mean.
- My handwriting has improved, going from indecipherable to very legible.
- My ability to type on the computer keyboard has improved heaps and heaps. There has been a drastic reduction in "typos."
- On spell checking this there was a drastic reduction in errors and I could see in every case where I had made the mistake and why the new word was correct.
- When reading scientific papers I understand what they are saying and I no longer get frustrated with them.
- My ability to programme has improved phenomenally, with drastic reduction in errors due to syntax.
- I believe that my productivity, both in the work place and home. has been amazing. Both my wife and supervisor have commented on my improvement in writing knowledge and theory."
"I have found it the best thing that ever happened to me. I very quickly (almost instantly) integrated the systems into my life, so much so that most of the techniques are sub conscious now. It has been the only system that I have come across that has had lasting effect, as I have been through ever other system under the sun (my parents were teachers).
It has helped in so many areas not just spelling, for example sports and hand eye movements, map reading, finding stuff in directories, programming computers, taking details on the phone, following instructions correctly, overtaking cars, judging distance (still working on this one). It has put foundations into my life that were never there, so I can now build proper structures
I cannot recommend it enough, the results for every student will be different, it will full in the gaps for the students, gaps that only come obvious once filled. Once the gaps are filled the student then can learn as would a "normal" student.
I truly believe that you will not be disappointed with the results. I know that it takes a bit (lot?) of faith to believe that something so simple, yet not quite understandable, works so well."
Skye Timblake
I received this wonderful letter and photo from Skye's mother. Congratulations Skye on the wonderful achievement. Skye came with her family from Invercargill to do the programme and we had a wonderful week.
"We were all delighted, the other day, when a letter came in the mail from Skye's new school inviting her to be one of 5 students from her class to be part of a creative writing workshop extension programme.
We made all the clay words and some more, and she has kept up the reading and now loves to read fiction books from the library and we throw the balls when things aren’t going quite right and it all sorts it self out again .
All the hard work is really paying off. Thought I would let you know as you will be proud of her too."
Regards
Denise
Parent: Lyn Coulton, Inglewood
"This method can sound strange to the uninitiated, but the results with my son were amazing. After 30 hours of intense orientation and exercises with clay, the worlds of reading and writing, which were once difficult, were finally unlocked. His schoolteacher and other family members noticed the change in his confidence. He read a Harry Potter book from cover to cover that Christmas and it was a joy to watch."Parent: Janice Mannix
"I am writing as a mother of a ten-year-old son who has recently done the course with Raewyn Matheson, of dyslexiaHELP.
James has made giant strides ahead and is so much happier as a result. The teachers at his school are amazed at the progress -
'If I didn't know what you were able to do before, I wouldn't have believed there could be so much improvement.'
If only all school starters were started off this way so many problems would be corrected almost before they began and many more would achieve from Day 1."
New Zealand Primary School Principal
"Within the last twelve months, two students from my Year Seven and Eight class have received extra tuition from Mrs Raewyn Matheson.
I feel both students have made significant gains in their ability to retrieve, organise and process written and spoken information. Improved problem-solving strategies, self-esteem and confidence are other positive outcomes."