Dore and other exercise based programmes for dyslexia etc

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Y
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:49 pm

Dore and other exercise based programmes for dyslexia etc

Post by Y »

Does anyone out there have any experience with the Dore programme, or other similar programmes, such as Learning Breakthrough, which offer exercise based remediation for problems in the dyslexia/dyspraxia/ADHD and Aspergers arena? I've been doing a bit of internet research, and individuals who claim to have used the programme are almost universally positive, whilst the education and medical establishments are almost universally negative, saying that Dore's research is flawed - though they don't seem to have followed through on any of the testimonials - just reviewed the research methodology. I've read Dore's book 'Dyslexia The Miracle Cure', and whilst it's very interesting, there are no references in it, so there's no way to follow up on any of his claims. I'm minded to give the system credit because I used a 'Neuro-developmentalist' for my own DD, to apparent good effect, and the neuro-developmentalist also uses physical exercises to bring about changes (in my DD's case) in concentration and focus. I say 'apparent', because one can never be sure of the true cause of an improvement.

I've never seen any such programme mentioned on this site.
SSM
Posts: 646
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:09 pm

Post by SSM »

There is a web site http://www.beingdyslexic.co.uk/forums/i ... owforum=41 with a forum on it and there used to be quite a bit of discussion about DORE on that.

When my son was diagnosed i asked the Ed Psych, who specialises in dyslexia, about programmes like that and his attitude was that you would get as much benefit from something like Karate as you would from those types of programmes.

DORE was also running as DDAT and that company is now in administration, so personally I think it is a lot of time and effort for something that has not managed to prove itself.

EditI hope the link works. MODS, I hope it was ok to put the link there, I don't think it is a site which sells things
stevew61
Posts: 1786
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:54 pm
Location: caversham

Post by stevew61 »

I would be very careful of people selling miracles. They generally benefit more than you do. :(

Having said that I have noticed that after exercise my DS2 could concentrate much more and so use his brain power. :)

If you go seeking miracles then somebody will provide one at a price sorry to sound so cynical, but a bit of self help at home goes a long way and costs a lot less. 8)

steve

PS I half heartedly looked at some dodgy stuff for my DS2 including chelation therapy, the premise being that it could remove the mercury used as in the MMR jab that was causing the problem, it appealed to my scientific knowledge...desperate times!
Warks mum
Posts: 538
Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:30 am
Location: Warwickshire

Post by Warks mum »

We live near the original DORE head office and our local paper was incredibly positive about it when it first started.

Unfortunately, when the company went into administration the same paper was definitely not so complimentary. I think they did a follow up feature on a family that wasn't happy with the programme - but my memory's a little hazy, I'm afraid.
KB
Posts: 3030
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Post by KB »

We have a fantastic local clinic that runs as the NHS opthalmic clinic but the consultant has done alot of work re visual memory, co-ordination & specific learning difficulties. She runs training for local schools & we used her programme of exercises/activities to run a breakfast club.
Dont know if you can access her work 'remotely'.
PM me & I'll give you details.
Two non technical 'games' we have found useful are the Playstation eye toy and Lexia cross trainer (for PCs with controller that looks like games controller). Not familiar with Wii but imagine some of that stuff be good as well. The other thing that is good is an electronic 'wobble board' - think it came from Bright Minds.
Hope this info is OK to post - know we are not supposed to advertise but dont know how else to pass on info re items that are low cost but effective!
Other activities that we found helpful are tennis, tap dancing & piano :-)

I have a very well respected friend in the education field and he maintains that most children will show signs of improvement from any programme of activities simply because of the extra attention they are getting. Most of the schemes are not rocket science and its quite possible to put together a programme to do at home that doesn't require alot of specialist equipment but it does require time & effoert from child & parent & that is not always easy!
katel
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Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:30 pm

Post by katel »

When the Dore programme was still available (before it went into administration) I filled in the questionnaire on their website from different email addresses giving different answer profiles each time. Even when I said "no' to all their diagnostic questions it was suggested that the child concerned would benefit from the programme, with some form of words along the lines of "even thought the child is not showing any signs of dyslexia now, who knows what might happen in the future) I paraphrase.

A money making organization only.
Y
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:49 pm

Post by Y »

I have a very well respected friend in the education field and he maintains that most children will show signs of improvement from any programme of activities simply because of the extra attention they are getting. Most of the schemes are not rocket science and its quite possible to put together a programme to do at home that doesn't require alot of specialist equipment but it does require time & effoert from child & parent & that is not always easy!
This is very true. I do, however, agree with Dore on one thing, and that is, that most dyslexic children (including his own daughter), will already have had interventions (sometimes, many interventions) before the Dore programme, and have not shown improvement, despite the attention they received. They do, however, then show improvement on the Dore programme.

Interestingly, I recently took my DS to a specialist paediatric optician we have used for some time, and whom I trust. He has a strong interest in dyslexia. I asked him about the Dore programme, and he quite unequivocally said that it works. He also said that you do not need to use their particular programme, but that any that works on the cerebellum and integrates the vision side, will serve the same purpose. There, I guess, he disagrees with Dore, who says that each programme must be tailored to the needs of the individual.

I also asked the optician why, if Dore worked, there was so much negative publicity about him. He said, that in the scientific/academic community, you mustn't 'shout', and that Dore's clients had 'shouted' that the method worked. There does seem to be a good deal of closed minds and professional jealousy in such communities.
When the Dore programme was still available (before it went into administration) I filled in the questionnaire on their website from different email addresses giving different answer profiles each time. Even when I said "no' to all their diagnostic questions it was suggested that the child concerned would benefit from the programme, with some form of words along the lines of "even thought the child is not showing any signs of dyslexia now, who knows what might happen in the future) I paraphrase.

A money making organization only.
The Dore programme is still available; it's been resurrected, but I don't know the details of how. Looking at their chat forum, (the link provided by SSM), the changeover caused some problems and unhappy customers. I do have a sneaking sympathy that such a programme could perhaps be helpful to all children in their learning. But not to the tune of £2000, and especially if they are wrong that you need a tailored programme for each child.
Y
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:49 pm

Post by Y »

KB - I've PM'd you.

Y
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