Dear Dave Laycock and forum
The Ron Davis book is called " The Gift of Dyslexia" and centers around the
idea that dyslexics have a 'gift' of being able to see things in their
'mind's eye' (imagination) from many different angles.  This means they are
often creative but that a roving mind's eye isn't effective with the
written word.  Davis has worked out a process which shows a dyslexic how to
control their mind's eye so that 'disorientation' doesn't occur when faced
with print or having to write - two trigger activities for dyslexics.  I
haven't had any formal training on the method - I'm just using the book
which is fairly detailed.  However, I do have  support from a good friend
who is trained.  

The book, on first reading, might seem to suggest that Davis has found a
'fix' but in reality that isn't the case and readers shouldn't be put off
by some of his challenging ideas we have all grown used to in relation to
dyslexia.   It does need the child (or adult) to fully engage with the
method and feel comfortable since it is something which only they can
control and take responsibility for.  This means it needs good motivation
on the part of the individual.  It also takes a committment to work!  I
won't go into much more detail because I think I would be in danger of
writing a thesis.  The best thing is to read the book and ask questions.

My training to support dyslexics was with Cynthia Klein and I have worked
with adults formally and children informally as a parent helper in a local
primary school just  so you know that I don't have any particular reason
for finding this method so interesting.  It is just that it works where
lots of other strategies don't!  I was tired of doing spellings each week
with students who where tired of doing spellings each week even if it was
chunked, coloured and in a poem!! 

 Anyway, the 3 children and 2 adults I have worked with have said that 'the
mind's eye and disorientation/being on point' makes sense to them and it
has given all of them a means of 'controlling ' the dyslexic symptoms and
to work more effectively.  One adult has been predicted an A in his A level
when last year his module exams were coming back unmarked.  We are both
astonished and very pleased at that outcome!! His tutor, who does not
'believe' in dyslexia, has now written a very fulsome letter of praise. The
children have all made progress as well, and there have been noticable
positive effects on behavior. By controlling the disorientation, they are
less frustrated and can cope better in the classroom, can understand
instructions better and managed to do the terrible SATS with a calmness
that surprised me. 

Read the book and get back in touch with questions.  It's the only way to
progress.
Look forward to hearing from you then.  It is also worth, I understand,
going to hear Ron Davis speak.

Best Wishes
Ellen Lessner


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%