Understanding Dyslexia: Beyond the Labels
Online - 29 May & 5 June 2025, 9am - 12.30pm
Delivered over 2 weeks with Nikki Palamountain
This interactive workshop focuses on hands-on learning techniques and practical strategies to support dyslexic learners and incorporates the Davis℠ method.
"Understanding Dyslexia: Beyond the Labels," is designed to equip New Zealand educators and health professionals with a comprehensive understanding of dyslexia. Divided in 4 sessions over the 2 days, the workshop begins with an exploration of the science behind dyslexia, including insights from brain scans and how dyslexic minds experience the world differently. Participants will learn about the unique strengths and challenges of dyslexic thinkers, particularly their exceptional creativity, problem-solving abilities, and innovative potential.
Delving into the 3D thinking process of dyslexic brains, Nikki will explain the advantages and disadvantages of this cognitive style. Attendees will gain insights into visual-spatial thinking, the power of seeing the world in patterns, movement, and depth, and the impact of disorientation and orientation on learning. The role of stress and trauma in dyslexic learning will also be discussed, emphasizing how emotions can affect cognitive processes and educational outcomes.
In the third & final segments, the workshop addresses why traditional learning methods often fail dyslexic learners. It will cover coping mechanisms and triggers that make reading more challenging, the importance of visual clues in decoding information, and the limitations of conventional reading approaches. Participants will learn about the three essential components of language processing for dyslexic minds: seeing, hearing, and feeling words, which are crucial for effective learning.
Spaces are limited. Contact us today to make a pencil booking if you are seeking funding approval.
Click here to learn about the Davis℠ method to working with dyslexia
This training explores the Davis℠ method - a proven approach to increase reading ability.
What is the Davis℠ Method?
Based on the insights and strategies that enabled Ron Davis, a severely dyslexic individual, to overcome his own reading difficulties at the age of 38, the Davis℠ Mastery for Dyslexia program is a transformational learning experience that embraces the unique and wonderful ways of thinking and perceiving experienced by people with Dyslexia. It then uses those perceptual strengths to overcome the challenges caused by that creative way of thinking.
Instead of relying on traditional rote learning, the Davis℠ programs use:
● Visual and kinaesthetic strategies to support reading, writing, and maths
● Orientation techniques to improve focus and reduce confusion in learning ● Symbol Mastery℠ is a hands-on method to help learners make sense of letters, numbers, and abstract concepts
● Self-regulation tools that empower individuals to improve attention and emotional control
The Davis℠ Method recognises that dyslexic and neurodiverse learners are highly intelligent, creative thinkers who process information differently. By removing barriers and equipping them with the right tools, they can gain confidence and achieve lasting success in their learning journey.
Workshop Content
Incorporating experiential exercises, breakout room activities and group discussions, this training will cover:
🔹 1. Understanding Dyslexia
The Science Behind It / Different Perspectives / Strengths & Challenges / Alternative Viewpoints
🔹 2. The 3D Mind – How Dyslexic Brains Process Information
Advantage & Disadvantage of 3D Thinking / Visual-Spatial Thinking / Disorientation & Orientation / The Role of Stress & Trauma
🔹 3. Breaking the Cycle – Why Traditional Learning Doesn’t Work
Coping Mechanisms & Triggers / Why Visual Clues Matter / The Disadvantage of No Visual Clues / The 3 Parts to a Word
🔹 4. Hands-On Learning – Interactive Techniques for Success
Creating Meaning from Words / Practical Techniques to Support Learning / How to Leverage Dyslexic Strengths
Who Should Attend
This training is ideal for
🔹Education professionals: teachers, principals, RTLB, practice leaders, TA's, social workers in schools (SwiS) and school counsellors.
🔹Health care and mental health professionals including Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, paediatricians, counsellors and social workers.
🔹Other professionals wanting to gain increased knowledge and skills in helping children and youth.
Price & Registration process
Price: $320.00 per person, including GST, for both sessions.
Payment in full is required before commencement of the training.
Online payment is by Debit or Credit Card: VISA, Mastercard or American Express only and there are 3 easy steps to complete the online booking process.
Our registration platform is hosted by Lil Regie, our NZ based booking agent. Upon completing your registration by hitting the blue 'Confirm Booking' button, you will receive an automated email from Lil Regie confirming the booking and amount paid by credit card. This will appear on your statement as from LIL REGIE LTD WELLINGTON.
A GST Tax Invoice showing your payment in full will also be emailed to you.
If you have any issues or questions about your booking, please contact Faye Johnson.
Can't pay online and require an invoice?
We work hard to ensure that all workshops are cost effective by automating our systems. If your organisation requires an invoice (rather than paying by debit or credit card) there will be a $25.00 inc GST surcharge for this, and you will need to supply:
The full organisation name and postal address required to appear on the invoice.
The contact name and email of the person(s) responsible for authorising this expense and approving payment.
Any purchase order references required on vendor invoices.
Please email this information to Brian - accounts@grow.co.nz and faye@grow.co.nz , and along with the Invoice we will also send you a special booking link which will come up as free of charge. Through this link you will need to complete your registration.
PLEASE NOTE:
Payment in full is required before commencement of the training.
If you require an Invoice and you are seeking funding approval, please include this surcharge in the price you have on your application.
Our workshops fill quickly so if you would like to reserve a place, please contact faye@grow.co.nz
What happens if you have to cancel?
We know that sometimes your plans can change for many different reasons. Should you be unable to attend, a substitute delegate is welcome to attend at no extra cost. If a substitute delegate is not available and you need to cancel your registration, please be aware of the following:
Up to 7 days prior to the event you will be provided a refund of your registration cost, less a $20.00 inc GST per attendee service charge.
If you cancel within 7 days of the event, you are not eligible to receive a refund. Please note: should your registration not be paid by the time of the event, you are still liable to make the payment.
Unpaid accounts may be passed over to our debt collection agency and additional costs may be incurred.
All cancellations must be received in writing (email).
Training is cancellable by GROW with 7 days’ notice if a minimum number of attendees is not met and full refunds will be provided.
Please note: GROW Ltd reserves the right to make any amendments that we may deem to be in the best interest of the forum – it is however very unlikely and we will notify you as soon as possible should this occur.
For more information see our full Terms of Trade.
The following peak bodies and organisations recognise that the training we offer is of a high quality, evidence based and relevant for their members CPD.
About the Presenter:
Nikki Palamountain
Over 30+ years of classroom teaching experience Nikki witnessed countless students with neurodiverse learning needs or poor mental health being left behind by a system not fully equipped to support them. This lead Nikki to found her own program Dyslexia Unpuzzled specifically designed to meet their unique needs, and offer specialised support and guidance for many learners struggling with reading, writing, and math and ADHD.
With mainstream education not set up to fully support students with neurodiverse challenges, such as dyslexia and ADHD - or support mental health challenges, many students are labelled as “underachieving,” when in reality, they just need the right approach and tools to succeed. Nikki’s approach is to work with whanau, teachers, and schools to create a nurturing environment where students with learning challenges can thrive and feel confident in their own ability to learn.
“Teachers often lack specific training to address these challenges, even though around 15-20% of learners are neurodiverse not to mention those who struggle to learn because of their compromised mental health. My own teacher training equipped me to reach about 80% of students in a classroom, but the remaining 20%—those who think and learn differently—are often underserved”.
Nikki’s Dyslexia Unpuzzled incorporates the Davis℠ method programs for literacy, math and ADHD - proven programs that provide practical tools and strategies that align with how each person's brain works, ensuring that they can succeed.
Her mission is simple: to help every individual overcome their challenges and succeed in a way that works best for them.
ZOOM Date & Details
2 sessions - Thursday's, 29 May & 5 June 2025
9 am - 12.30 pm
These workshops will be delivered via ZOOM and you will be sent the login in details once you have registered, and emailed resources prior to the training. There will be group discussions and participants are encouraged to ask questions.
This is an interactive workshop with breakout room activities and we therefore ask all participants to have their own computer / laptop with a working camera and mic as this makes interaction with the breakout room activities and discussions easier and enhances the learning for all.
NOTE: This training will not be recorded.
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CONTACT FAYE
For further details, please contact:
e: faye@grow.co.nz
p: 027 607 3000
Contact Grow
83a Waghorne Street
Ahuriri
Napier 4110
e: info@grow.co.nz
p: 021 751 932
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
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