Program takes aim at dyslexia

By: JESSICA KELLER
ARGUS OBSERVER
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:30 AM PDT

ONTARIO—Both Rhonda Erstrom, Ontario, and Kathy Pozzi, Vale, have been affected by dyslexia — through their sons.

At some time in their educations, Erstrom and Pozzi’s sons began to struggle, but through a special education program — the Davis Dyslexia Correction® program — they overcame their learning challenges, and now Erstrom and Pozzi hope to share with others a different perspective of dyslexia and the program that did so much for their children and themselves. 

Ron Davis, who developed the Davis Dyslexia Correction® program, which Erstrom and Pozzi are now facilitators for, will present two hour lectures in Ontario and Boise this week to inform people about his own experiences with dyslexia, how he overcame it and how his program works.

“The wonderful thing about this program is it shows people (dyslexia) is not an intelligence problem. It’s a focusing problem,” Pozzi said.

The Davis Dyslexia Correction® program shows those struggling how to focus correctly and gives them the tools to overcome their learning challenges, Pozzi and Erstrom said.

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The program “corrects the learning disability using the natural strengths and talents of the individual’s personal thinking and learning style,” according to a  program pamphlet.  

Erstrom, a second-grade teacher at Vale Elementary School, and Pozzi, who runs Learning Perceptions in Ontario where she works with people of all ages struggling with dyslexia, are two of four facilitators in Oregon for the Davis Dyslexia Correction® program.

“And we both got into it because of our sons,” Pozzi said.

Pozzi said when Davis, who is the author of “The Gift of Dyslexia” and “The Gift of Learning,” announced he would be doing a tour across the United States and Canada, she and Erstrom requested he stop in Ontario and Boise and were thrilled when he agreed.

“We’re really, really fortunate to have him come to this area,” Erstrom said, and Pozzi concurred.

“We’re very excited. It’s such an opportunity for us,” Pozzi said.  Both Erstrom and Pozzi said one of the biggest points of Davis’ message is dyslexia is a gift; it’s not a learning disability. The presentation is designed to give people a better understanding of dyslexia and how it can be managed.

The presentations will be at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Four Rivers Cultural Center and 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Boise State University Campus/Special Events Center. The cost is $10 per person. For more information, contact Pozzi, (541) 881-6497, or Erstrom, (541) 881-7817.

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