About The Program
Although the DIA program for dyslexia shares its multi-sensory approach
with a variety of Orton-Gillingham-based programs, it expands significantly
upon those programs in several ways.
First, the DIA program provides cognitive therapies that strengthen
the deficits commonly exhibited by dyslexics, such as visual and auditory
memory, visual perception and motor integration, and sequencing. Our
approach to addressing cognitive deficits associated with dyslexia goes
beyond what
is provided in other programs. We provide this additional emphasis because
it assists the dyslexic in being more successful in becoming fluent in
new sight words and retaining and utilizing phonics rules. DIA does not
suggest,
imply or otherwise degrade other programs that handle a dyslexic's cognitive
deficiencies to a lesser degree than our program. We simply believe,
and our client successes prove out, that such additional emphasis is
beneficial.
The first six-months of the DIA program stresses cognitive therapy
to ensure that each client has the skill level necessary to make successful
progress in acquiring and recalling the English Language's extensive phonetic
rules and sight words. Additional benefits from the cognitive therapy may
include increased fine motor skills that can help to improve poor handwriting,
and increase sequential task performance such as following a series of verbal
directions. DIA provides cognitive therapies only as needed based on a client's
assessment results. In addition, DIA does not exclusively work on cognitive
therapy in the first six months, we stress it – meaning we spend more time
on it (note the word "stress"). In the first six months new sight words
are taught and phonics lessons provided.
Second, the DIA program integrates a comprehensive diagnosis that in
turn dictates a strictly controlled, monitored and documented application
of the therapy program. The full diagnostic assessment performed by DIA
diagnosticians identifies the type of dyslexia present, severity and,
most importantly, specific characteristics that can be individually addressed
by therapy, whether they are phonological or cognitive in nature.
DIA Therapists are trained teachers, occupational therapists and/or
speech pathologist that have experience teaching reading to children with
learning disabilities – many of them have previous experience using other
dyslexia programs. DIA Therapists are extensively trained, including many
hours of hands-on observation, and are re-certified every 6 months. Extensive
records of each session are maintained by the Therapist and are open for
review by the client or client's guardians at the end of each session. Program
progression is controlled by very strict and consistent guidelines.
DIA's clinical and methodical approach to providing therapy provides
for an unprecedented level of consistency and repeatability. While each
child is different and responds differently to therapy, our clinical approach
provides a level of consistency and accountability that does not exist in
traditional tutoring environments.
Third, the DIA program includes cognitive and phonological home
therapy materials that provide the forum for the repetition needed for a
dyslexic to learn and retain language skills. It has been shown that without
daily therapy dyslexics do not retain basic skills.
DIA uses a variety of Assessments depending upon the age of the
client to determine Dyslexia. Some of our Assessment materials include,
but are not limited to, the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Learning
Efficiency Test, Visual Auditory Discrimination, Dyslexia Determination
Test, and Test of Visual Analysis.
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