The Method : Discover the Davis® Difference
A research-based, internationally recognized approach that, in just 5-8 days, equips children and adults with transformative tools to manage challenges faced by neurodivergent learners.
This method was created by Ron Davis, who is both autistic and severely dyslexic, and was not able to read until the age of 38. The method is rooted in his own personal journey of “correcting” his dyslexia symptoms.
At 38, Ron made a brilliant discovery. He learned how to stabilize his perceptions, allowing him to read an entire book in just one weekend. Working in collaboration with a psychologist, he refined his insights into a structured approach that others could learn .
Inspired by his success and a strong desire to help others, he went on to develop a set of mental techniques specifically tailored for neurodivergent thinkers.
These techniques harness the unique strengths of the neurodivergent learners, giving them tools to control their perceptions and mental states. The Davis® Method has since transformed the lives of thousands of individuals and their families worldwide. It is now practiced in over 40 countries with remarkable success.
Read more about Ron Davis at theory-davis-methods
How the Davis® Method Transforms Perception and Learning
Mastering control over the thinking process
The Davis® Method addresses the core of the dyslexic challenge: Mind disorientation and distorted perceptions. Have you ever sat in a stationary train, next to another train that started moving, and felt as though it was you who began to move? If you have, then you experienced a moment of mental disorientation. Your perception was distorted because you felt movement that wasn’t actually happening.
Dyslexics experience disorientation and distorted perceptions frequently for a variety of reasons. Many times intentionally using it to solve a problem they encounter, yet without consciously being aware that they are doing so. The Davis® Method teaches how to recognize when you are disoriented and how to regain focus. By orienting the mind, you ensure that the information your brain receives from your senses is clear and accurate, allowing reading and writing to flow with fewer errors.
Enhancing Processing Speed and Working Memory Through Multi-Sensory Learning
Engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic senses through the use of clay enhances retention and processing speed by creating multiple pathways for the brain to access the same information. Clay modeling brings abstract words and ideas to life, making it easier to internalize concepts that might otherwise be challenging to remember. All of these processes work together to improve working memory, supporting more efficient learning and retention.
This is why Davis® programs for dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD facilitate genuine learning by harnessing the strengths of the neurodivergent mind. By tapping into the power of imagination, visualization, and creativity through multi-sensory activities, learning occurs with much more ease and less repetition. When you learn in harmony with your unique, non-verbal thinking style, the results are fast, lasting and deeply satisfying. Finally, Davis® programs create a positive and empowering atmosphere, where mistakes are nothing to fear and where you can be yourself every step of the way – building confidence and self-esteem as you go.
What is Disorientation?
Disorientation is a mental state where the brain’s perception of reality is temporarily altered. For a dyslexic individuals it often occurs when they feel overwhelmed, stressed or confused. Dyslexic individuals think primarily in pictures, and when they are disoriented, they can mentally manipulate images in their minds in three dimensions. This allows them to see the object from multiple perspectives and resolve any confusion very quickly. This perceptual talent is what fuels exceptional creativity, inventiveness and out-of-the box problem-solving skills. Impressive, right?
However, this same ability can create challenges when working with two-dimensional symbols like letters, sight words, or numerals. For example, if a dyslexic individual sees a cat but struggles to identify it immediately, their mind will naturally use disorientation to view the cat from different angles until it is recognized and the confusion is resolved. After all, no matter how you look at a cat, it will always be recognizable as a cat.
However, two-dimensional symbols can appear distorted when viewed from various angles. For instance, a letter “p” might look like a “d” or “b” from different perspectives. This is why in a disoriented state, all images, including the distorted ones, seem equally “real” in the dyslexic mind. This makes the confusion even worse and makes working with symbols difficult.
Conversely, when the disorientation is turned off and the mind is oriented, it clears away these perceptual distortions, allowing for accurate symbol recognition. No more mistaking a “b” for a “p”. Simply put, when the mind is focused and oriented, it sees only what the eyes see, without any added distortions.
The solution is simple. It is to learn how to control your mental state and orient the mind for tasks that require precise perception, such as reading, writing, or math. Mastering the skill of orientation is a foundational element of the Davis® Method, distinguishing it from other approaches and it is what makes it incredibly effective. However, for tasks that benefit from creativity and problem-solving, embracing disorientation can be a powerful advantage. Disorientation often unlocks imagination and unconventional thinking, allowing you to approach challenges from fresh perspectives. The key lies in understanding which mental state aligns best with each activity.
Various factors can trigger disorientation. Symbols such as letters, numbers and sight words are common triggers for dyslexia symptoms. Failing to eliminate these triggers can lead to increased confusion over time and undermining the skill of orientation. This is why, after completing a facilitated Davis® Program, it is essential to continue to eliminate the remaining triggers by doing a self-paced symbol mastery follow-up work. This will provide optimal and long lasting results. I provide you with the tools; you put them into practice and make them yours for life.
Benefits of the Davis® Method
LIFE SKILLS AND LIFE CONCEPTS
Davis® programs equip neurodivergent learners with unique tools to master foundational literacy, numeracy skills and essential life concepts. Among the Davis® tools are mind orientation, symbol mastery, concept mastery, and self-regulation. These techniques help manage disorientations, increase focus, reduce stress, and build independence and confidence in learning.
BENEFITS BEYOND READING
Dyslexia affects far more than reading – it can influence memory, coordination, sequencing, time management, and organizational skills. Davis® programs address many of these challenges by working with the way visual thinkers process information.
MASTERY PROGRAM
The Davis® method takes a multi-sensory, meaning-based approach that focuses on understanding the why behind concepts and symbols, rather than memorizing rules or facts. This aligns with visual and kinesthetic learners’ natural thinking style – seeing the big picture first and connecting ideas in a meaningful way. By engaging multiple senses and focusing on understanding, this process eliminates future triggers for dyslexia symptoms.
NO REPETITION, MEMORIZATION OR PHONICS
Individuals with dyslexia often struggle to retain information they don’t fully understand. Repetition drills and memorization leave gaps in comprehension and lead to frustration. When told to simply try harder or repeat tasks, dyslexic individuals develop compensatory strategies that make learning even harder. Dyslexic learners thrive when they can see and experience the meaning behind what they learn. Davis® programs do not use phonic instruction. Instead they draw on the learner’s visual strengths to make learning clear, meaningful, and lasting.
The key to success for dyslexic individuals is not to teach them to read and write the way others do, but to help them discover their own unique strengths and learning styles." - Ron Davis
Davis Tools
Davis Orientation® Counseling – a foundational element of the Davis® method and all Davis® programs. This mental technique, enables you to recognize when you are experiencing mental disorientation and distorted perceptions, and allows you to regain orientation and focus. In other words, by using this mental tool you ensure that the information your brain receives is the same as what your eyes are seeing, what your ears are hearing, and that your sense of balance, movement and time is not altered. Being able to return your mind to this oriented and focused state is essential to accurately perceive 2 dimensional symbols such as letters, words and numerals.
Koosh Balls – The Kooshball exercise is designed to help neurodivergent individuals improve the skill of orientation and enhance brain function by promoting midline crossing. This movement strengthens the connection between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving coordination and visual processing speed, important for eye tracking and the brain’s ability to process visual input efficiently. Since reading and writing rely on smooth left-to-right eye tracking and efficient communication between brain hemispheres, developing midline crossing skills plays a key role in building these abilities. It’s a fun and engaging way to train orientation, as well as strengthen the neural pathways involved in learning.
Davis Symbol Mastery® – a visual-spatial process that builds basic literacy skills. It helps to eliminate triggers which cause confusion, disorientation and subsequently distorted perceptions. Sight words, which frequently appear in text, are common triggers for dyslexia symptoms, because they lack visual images (we call these trigger words). With symbol mastery, you will create three-dimensional clay models of the meaning of the trigger words, so you can form your own visual images and truly master the meaning of these words. Think of it as translating 2 dimensional symbols into pictures so they are easier for you to think with. This simple but effective process eliminates all future confusion around these words and eliminates perceptual distortions. Furthermore, using this multi-sensory way of learning, provides the brain with more pathways to retrieve the same information, supporting working memory and retention.
Davis Concept Mastery – the clay modeling process used for Symbol Mastery is also used to model foundational life concepts. Exploring and integrating key concepts such as self, change, consequence, before vs after, cause vs effect, order vs disorder, time, and sequence significantly enhances executive function skills and various aspects of life for individuals with ADHD and dyscalculia. For them, these concepts are often distorted or not well understood due to frequent disorientations. This element of the program is a crucial component of both the Davis® Mastery for Attention and Davis® Mastery for Math program, yielding truly transformative results.
Dial Setting– a self-regulation tool that puts you in control of your energy level, allowing you to adjust it to best match each task. This makes it easier to stay focused, maintain attention, and enjoy more harmonious social interactions.
Release– a relaxation technique that helps your mind reset to a calm, focused state by releasing built-up tension and stress. This practice enhances focus and fosters an internal environment conducive to learning.
Reading and writing exercises – Designed specifically for visual learners, these powerful exercises help remove the roadblocks that interfere with reading, spelling, and handwriting development, allowing learning to happen naturally and with confidence.
Organizational Skills & Establishing Order – these activities guide individuals in developing essential organizational strategies, helping them create structure and establish order in their daily lives. By working with their natural strengths, these activities enhance time management, sequencing, and task completion.
Recognizing and Changing Unwanted Behaviors – Through engaging clay activities, individuals gain the insight to identify and shift behaviors that may be holding them back. These activities foster self-awareness and provide practical strategies for making positive and lasting changes.