Testimonials
Kathryn & Terry Christensen, (parents of Charlotte & Claudia), Hamilton; Charlotte completed the Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme in 2007 and the Math Mastery Programme in 2008; Claudia completed the Reading Programme for Young Learners in 2008 and the Math Mastery programme in 2011
"I had not really paid much attention to Dyslexia until our 9 year old daughter was assessed by a Davis Facilitator in Inglewood.
We then met with Vivienne in Auckland and arranged for Charlotte to attend the Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme. It brought tears to my
eyes when my then 10-year-old daughter recited the alphabet forwards & backwards, knowing and owning it for the first time. It was truly a
moment of empowerment for all of us.
Our youngest daughter Claudia, who is partially deaf, also attended the Davis Reading Programme for Young Learners with Vivienne at age 7.
This had a huge impact on her self-esteem and attitude towards the unique way she learns and sees life. Both girls were eager to learn even
though they were giving up their school holidays, and went on to complete the Davis Maths Mastery programme at age 11 and 10 respectively.
They valued their time with Vivienne, learning at their own pace, and creating masterpieces in clay of their words and letters.
Even though they now attend Year 11 and Year 7 respectively, they still enjoy reassurance and words of wisdom from Vivienne during their
journey through the NZ education system, which at times can be frustrating and debilitating for a dyslexic student. Vivienne taught them to
love their gift, that they are unique and talented and more importantly, they can achieve anything they set out to do. Priceless.
They understand their secret, that life would be pretty dull without the gift of dyslexia. Vivienne helped our daughters find their voice,
to shine on and embrace whatever possibilities lie ahead, no matter what the obstacles may be. Thank you."
Lorelle, Mother of five children; Lorelle's 12-year-old completed the Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme in 2011, and her 8 & 6-year-olds completed the Young Learner's Programme in 2012
"After 5 years of trying everything with limited success we are so excited to have found a way for our kids to actually learn - homework time is less stressful and the progress is amazing. The teacher of our 6 year old was so impressed asking me what we had done with him!! - the change was so instant like a light switched on inside of him over a period of 3 weeks using his Davis tools. We are told it is not a miracle cure - but with the success in our family it certainly feels like one!
With the older children the progress is definitely measurable but not as instant as they have so much to relearn using their Davis Tools - but we are working away at all those trigger words and they get their weekly spelling words all correct now - instead of incorrect each week! Now that they have their focus they can actually take in the information being taught in the classroom instead of being off in a dream or stressing out because they don't understand - and all the teachers from our primary & intermediate schools have been open and supportive to the changes in the learning style we have implemented.
I only wish I had discovered Vivienne & the Davis program when our eldest child was younger.
Vivienne & Davis have been life changing for our children's learning and my sanity as a mother, not a teacher but trying to support my children's learning - Vivienne is professional, trustworthy, patient & caring - I cannot thank her enough.
I was nervous at first as having tried so many other avenues of learning, it makes you skeptical and it is a substantial investment to make when you have no guarantees - but I read the Davis book "The Gift of Dyslexia" and it made sense to me - I was reading with tears in my eyes thinking this is describing my child - once I met Vivienne I felt more confident and now after sending our 12 year old we have since sent our 8 & 6 year old. Needless to say I am convinced."
Mat, 34, Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2007
"...since attending this course with Vivienne, I have become a more confident person. I now have the confidence to read aloud in meetings should the situation arise; rather than retracting in my seat! I feel like I am more of a strategic partner as a consultant - rather than being ashamed for being dyslexic.
By attending this private one-on-one training, I now understand how I learn; as a result I have been able to adapt my personal requirements for learning, which enables me to comprehend the material that is before me. Previously, I felt I was a slow learner and would get frustrated quickly; I now have embraced my dyslexia and use it to my competitive advantage.
If I had not met Vivienne, I would have never achieved my academic success as I had low self-esteem around learning and was shameful for being dyslexic. Thanks Vivienne, you have opened my eyes to all the advantages that dyslexia has, rather than the disadvantages!"
Finn aged 12, Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2011
"It has helped a lot, I feel more focused and it made me want to learn more than I did before. It is easier to read & understand & I enjoy my schoolwork now."
Claudia, now aged 12; Reading Programme for Young Learners 2008 and Math Mastery programme 2011
"Until I did the courses with Vivienne, I was lost at school because I didn't understand what other people saw. But after I did the courses, I gained confidence with my learning and I am now succeeding in school."
Charlotte, now aged 15; Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2007 and the Math Mastery Programme 2008
"Vivienne's ability to show me that we can succeed if we put our "minds" to it, and her profound learning tools has pushed me to succeed. I can honestly say she has helped show me that I can do it."
Rosemary Hargraves Lee; Rosemary's Tessa completed the Dyslexia Correction Programme in 2009 and the Math Mastery Programme in 2010
Before doing the Davis program, my daughter was not able to participate in subject classes, and for years, it'd hardly mattered if she was there or not. After Tessa completed the correction programme with Vivienne, Tessa's teachers were immensely relieved to find her able to complete the work assigned.
In particular, Vivienne taught her how to focus in class and get her work done, especially in maths. These changes greatly boosted Tessa's confidence in general, and her attitude to school in particular.
Thanks to Vivienne, Tessa's experience of school became far more positive. I would heartily recommend this program to every parent of a child with dyslexia."
Mother of Alistair aged 12; Alistair completed the Davis Dyslexia Correction and Math Mastery Programmes in 2011
"Vivienne is a remarkable facilitator. Her passion for the Davis Programme and for helping others achieve their potential is no small part of the programme's success. I hate to think where we would be without Vivienne. She has given Alistair real strategies for dealing with the confusion he was having in reading and maths and it changed the way he approached reading.
He learnt not to be frightened by a page of confusing words and found strategies to break each sentence down to manageable parts. The best part about this was the confidence he had gained that he actually could now READ.
Alistair wanted to be able to spell the word triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). After one session he had made his clay model and mastered the word. Even now a year later he can see it in his mind and can spell it not only forwards but backwards too. This was all the proof I needed that the Davis programme really works!"
Kathy; Kathy's son completed the Maths Mastery Programme in 2007
"... Vivienne, I would like to thank you for all your efforts with regard to our son and your nurturing approach in teaching him the fundamentals of the Davis Programme. I am sure you would appreciate the hard work that has gone into his achievements to date.
He is now in the seventh form and I know that wherever his chosen path leads him, he will succeed.
Thank you again, both Mark and I really appreciate what you have done for our youngest son".
Graeme, Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2008
"I guess the biggest thing to overcome, being an adult with Dyslexia, is taking that first step for help. Why as an adult, having got through life to this point, do I need to even fix it in the first place. I am too old; will it be too hard, will it be worth it, will it work. I could go on but the list would be too long.
But there is no point worrying. Spending a week with Vivienne is enlightening, fulfilling, exciting and so much more, but most of all so well worth it, and it does work.
I wasn't sure how the approach could be adapted from the usual age group, school children, to a guy in his mid thirties.
However, Vivienne is a master a making you feel at home, and definitely doesn't in anyway make you feel like a child, and soon you will be table-deep in clay, making commas, full stops, question marks, and everything in between. Most of all, it starts to make sense.
I never really liked to read, and so never really did, but now I have read everything from the Kite Runner, the Stig Larson trilogy, the Hunger Games and on and on.
So if you are thinking about it, stop, and just do it; a whole new world is out there and without doing it, you just will never know."
Sean, now aged 17; Davis Maths Mastery Programme 2007, and Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2007 with another Davis facilitator
"The time I spent with the Davis program really taught me a lot; the skills I acquired not only helped me academically but also with my sports. The simple yet highly effective exercises found there way into becoming useful in my everyday life. This program really made a difference in helping me stay concentrated in exams and classes which in turn led me to apply myself a lot further, and produce greater marks than if I had not done this program. I played Water polo at the time and I felt that my hand eye coordination and ability to react faster in the pool increased - it led me to view the game in a whole new perspective. I only found the benefits of the program once I started to implement it into my school life and sports. By practically applying the skills in the real world, you will see the differences it can make. I have found with these skills I can continually apply them, whenever and wherever needed. This program is not just a short-term fix. I highly recommend this program to all ages."
Kirianna, 25; Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2012
"Thank you, for allowing dyslexia to become 'My Gift'".
Mel, PhD Candidate; Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme 2013.
My view of being dyslexic has been changed after I have commenced the Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme - it is actually something that I should be proud of. Dyslexia is not a learning disability; it is a different learning style. There is nothing wrong with thinking in pictures instead of words. I have learnt how to use my tools to calm myself down, get myself focused and balanced. Such skills are greatly useful for my daily activities. With huge support by a dedicated and knowledgeable facilitator, the Davis Dyslexia Correction Programme was most interesting. We had ongoing dialogues, and explored answers as well as solutions together. I very much enjoyed such wonderful moments, and my curiosities were also contented. My confidence towards learning was increased. It is not impossible. It is possible. An enormous thanks to Vivienne.