Phonemic Awareness

Davis Dyslexia Correction Methods

Do Davis methods address problems with phonemic awareness?

It is important that students be able to perceive phonetic components of language accurately - for example, to be able to hear the difference between the short "e" in "then" and the short "i" in "thin". It is also important that students understand that letters generally represent specific sounds, and to make sure that they can accurately perceive the letters - for example, to see the difference between the letter "b" and letter "d", and to tell the difference in order and sequence of letters in the words "from" and "form."

Davis methods address all of these factors. However, once these basic concepts are mastered, our reading program is geared to developing whole word recognition and comprehension skills, relating words to their meanings rather than merely to their sounds. Our primary physical tools are a dictionary and clay.

We do not find it necessary to do extensive tutoring in phoneme awareness or symbol-sound correspondence. However, it should be noted that the Davis Dyslexia Correction program is geared to individuals ages 7 and above. Most of our clients have already had basic instruction in phonetic principles, and their problems arise generally from the fact that they cannot apply what they have been taught. Younger students may still need more instruction before they are ready to move on.

Some possible problems that may arise are:

1. The student cannot hear the difference between similar-sounding phonemes.

2. The student understands phonetic principles, but cannot apply them because of inconsistent perceptions of the sequence, direction, and order of letters, or of the sounds of words, due to disorientations or poor sequencing skills.

3. The student understands phonetic principles, but is confused by words that are not spelled exactly the way they sound, and is impeded by over-reliance on phonetic strategies.

4. The student simply does not think with the sound of words, and cannot gain meaning from what is read until the student learns to relate the letters of the words in print to a mental picture of what the words mean.

Each of these problems can be resolved by providing the student with tools geared to mastering the underlying concepts, rather than through tutoring, drill or memorization.