The Dyslexic Reader 2004 -- Issue 37

Vol.37

Davis Dyslexia Association International

Issue 4 • 2004

Dys lex icRead er

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Continued on page 4

The Abilities of Those withReading Disabilities: Focusingon the Talents of People withDyslexia,Part 3

News & Feature Articles

The Abilities of Those withReading Disabilities,Part 3 . . . . . . .1New Zealand Welcomes Ron Davis . . .1Well Done,Stephen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Building Self-Advocacy Skills . . . . . . . .9News From South Africa . . . . . . . . . .10New Chinese research on Dyslexia . .11Edward’s Nervous Breakdown . . . . . .12

Regular Features

In The Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-15Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16New Facilitators . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-21Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

In this third and final of our three-part series, we highlight two additionalsuccessful dyslexics and consider thegreat changes that some occupationsare now experiencing. In conclusion,Mr. West presents the increasinglyevident inconsistencies between theskills valued in the old verbaltechnological context and the skillscoming to be more highly valued inthe emerging technologies of imagesand visualization.

The MIT Disease—Nicholas Negroponte

The varied talent mix seen in manydyslexics seems to be especially wellrecognized in the world of computersas well as entrepreneurial business.Both are areas where performance ismeasured by demonstrating workingsystems (rather than writing reports)and where anticipating technologicaltrends is more highly valued thantraditional academic skills and paper credentials.

By Thomas G. West

In This Issue

In July, Ron and Alice Davis visited New Zealand as guests of CatherineChurton and Milt Barlow, Directors of DDA-Pacific. They arranged a hugelysuccessful media and lecture tour and two Davis workshops. The public and media response was overwhelmingly positive.Ron and several Davis DyslexiaCorrection Program clients appeared on eight national TV news and newsmagazine programs. Interviews withRon were aired by over half a dozenradio programs including NZ NationalPublic Radio twice. Articles aboutDavis methods were published in allthe major newspapers throughout thecountry. Ron gave standing room onlylectures in the Town Hall theatres of

Continued on page 11

New Zealand Welcomes Ron Davis

Nicholas Negroponte,

Wiesner Professor of Media Technology at MIT, founder of MIT’s pioneering Architecture Machine Group and WiReDmagazine.

David Whyte presenting Lord of theRings sword to Ron Davis.

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The Dyslexic Reader

is published quarterly by Davis Dyslexia Association International (DDAI), 1601 Bayshore Hwy., Suite245, Burlingame, CA94010 USA. Tel. +1(650) 692-7141.

OUR GOALS

are to increase worldwide awareness about the positive aspects of dyslexia and related learning styles; andto present methods for improving literacy, education and academic success. We believe that all people’s abilities and talentsshould be recognized and valued, and that learning problems can be corrected.

EDITORIALBOARD:

Alice Davis, AbigailMarshall, Maria Fagioli & Dee White.

DESIGN:

Gideon Kramer.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

one year $25 in US, add $5 in Canada;add $10 elsewhere.

BACK ISSUES:

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SUBMISSIONS & LETTERS:

We welcome letters, commentsand articles. Mail to DDAI at the above address.

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+1(650) 692-7075

VIA E-MAIL:

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INTERNET:

www.dyslexia.comThe opinions and views expressed in articles and letters are not necessarily those of DDAI. Davis Dyslexia Correction

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, Davis Symbol Mastery

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, DavisOrientation Counseling

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, and Davis Learning Strategies

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INTHEMAIL

Lao Tzu, philosopher(6th century B.C.)

Kindness in wordscreates confidence.Kindness inthinking createsprofoundness.Kindness in giving creates love.

Today I received one of your newsletters and read the wonderful storyabout Melissa.The one and only time I met withyou was in 1989. I heard of this new breakthrough in dyslexia, which at thetime, I was not sure if this was my problem or not. We had an appointmentat 3pm and it lasted until 6. At the end of this meeting you had given me somuch insight to my lifelong problem,that I ended up crying. You lifted fromme a great guilt, embarrassment, and afeeling that I was not too smart. I was49 years old at the time.Through my school years I was told I was just “lazy” and many times had tostand up in front of the class and read my reports. They were so bad and with somany misspellings that even I could notread them correctly. The teacher thoughtthat this embarrassment would “motivate”me. It did just the reverse; I never wanted to write again.At the time I met with you, I as anArt Director in the graphic arts and mostof my work was visual. I did very wellwith this but there was always somewriting to be done. Sometimes it took meover three hours to write a one page letter.This was always very painful and therewere still…misspelled words.After our “meeting” I made up mymind that I was “very OK” and the world was going to have to adapt to me. Fromthat point on, I would tell anyone up front

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C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 3 R a n d y G l a s b e r g e n . w w w . g l a s b e r g e n . c o m

what my problem was. Take it or leaveit! For the most part, everyone accepted it and I was not embarrassed anymore…most of the time.I never did take any of your classesmostly because of what you did for mefifteen years ago in those three shorthours. It gave me new confidence and strength to tackle things I never thoughtI could do.So in conclusion, I want to thank you so very much for your help and what you are doing for the Melissas of the world.Thank you Ron. –Carl M. Gaither

Dear Mr. Davis:

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Well Done, Stephen!

Stephen Kleeberger and Darlene BishopStephen’s graduation photo

2004. Darlene was able to attend theceremony where her efforts were publiclyrecognized by Stephen in his own words.Thank you, Stephen! Well Done! Youonce again remind us how fortunate we areto help gifted individuals such as yourself to improve their lives. What anencouragement you are to us to continueto bring new hope to the dyslexic learner using the Davis Dyslexia CorrectionProgram.Often, facilitators sense they are“working behind the scenes” becausetheir clients do not want to broadcast thefact that they are struggling with learn-ing. However, we at New Hope LearningCenters, Inc. were delighted recentlywhen “one of our own” was recognized at a High School Graduation by a former student.Stephen Kleeberger (19) completed the Davis Dyslexia Correction Programat New Hope Learning Centers, Inc.during the week of January 26-30, 2004with facilitator Darlene Bishop.In appreciation, Stephen invited Darlene and Linda Johannes, OfficeAdministrator at NHLC, Inc. to attend his high school graduation on June 11,