Marcia Davis

Positive Learning Solutions
503-391-6928
positivelearning@earthlink.net

 

 Are you interested in…

• a small group SOI test (2 or more  for a group discount)?
• a family discount Irlen Screening test?
• an informational talk at a homeschool group or private school?
•  a study skills class? (A Success in School class can be offered when ever there are at least three students interested. Call or email to see if there are any dates set. Binder, homework tips, Memory Pegs, Mind-mapping, and more. Binders and snacks are included).

 Contact me by email or phone and we can begin planning.

Irlen Diagnostician, Susan Hughes, comes to Oregon for appointments for those wanting colored lenses, and to train new Screeners every November, early spring, and July. Contact Marcia by email or phone if you want her information for the upcoming visit forwarded to you.

• Are you in the greater Portland area?  Contact: 

Puzzle Piece Learning, Hillsboro
Cindy Jones
503-648-8954
puzzlepiecelearning@verizon.net

Thank you for allowing me to be a supportive resource as you or your child begin to discover your learning or career potential!

God bless you,
Marcia

At Positive Learning Solutions SOI modules and other brain-building resources begin to make noticeable strengthening of abilities after a few months. Typically, a minimum of one year of working an SOI personalized follow-up plan is recommended. These are all students or adults at PLS who have continued to work their follow up plan for at least 1-2 years to get optimum results. They are all experiencing marvelous improvements in various areas. Some prefer to remain anonymous, while others don’t mind putting their signature to their own unique success story. Perhaps someday your story can be included here too.

 

A grateful mom’s letter

My daughter has been tutoring with Marcia Davis for several years and has made amazing and drastic improvement in her schoolwork. We had our daughter home schooled by Marcia for a year and in that year time she went from D’s in English and Math to A’s and B’s.  I attribute this wonderful change to Marcia and her different methods of teaching. She looks at the “whole” child and not just one aspect. Marcia found that our daughter is a visual learner, needed some vision therapy, has Scotopic Sensitivity, and has some dyslexia. With the different approaches that Marcia uses she was able to help with our daughter’s different learning challenges. I can’t say that one approach was the reason for the improvements, it was the combination; SOI, balance board, Scotopic overlays, and the working with clay for dyslexia. Our daughter has also been able to overcome some anxiety problems she was developing because of Marcia’s help with her schoolwork. Marcia was able to see that our daughter had special gifts and worked on these gifts to help our daughter bloom into being able to succeed in her schoolwork and to develop the self-confidence she needs to be successful in life. It is hard for me to find the words to express how impressed I am with Marcia’s work and with her personally. She is passionate about her work and it shows. She deeply cares about the youth she works with too. I will always be extremely grateful for all that Marcia has done for us. I HIGHLY RECOMMMEND  Marcia and her teaching methods. If you would ever like to speak with me personally, you may get my phone number from Marcia, and I’d be happy to talk with you.
Sincerely,
Cathy Grace
(Note from Marcia-Cathy’s daughter, Elizabeth, has retested with SOI after 2 ½ years. Her scores in Language arts have more than doubled! There was a small hint of this hidden giftedness in her very first writing sample. Congratulations to this hard working young lady for making her dreams begin to happen!)

 

 Math Success

A homeschooled boy had been described by a few experts as a gifted child, with AD/HD and some learning problems. Indeed this student’s reading comprehension, and knowledge of history and science were a few grade levels above his age. Yet he continued to struggle with spelling first grade words, and his math was one grade below (his math computation CAT test score had been 26% at the end of 3rd grade, and 43% at the end of 5th grade).  He took the SOI assessment at age 11 (grade 6). The results showed unusually low scores in every symbolic processing area, in spite of some other very high scores. He began SOI modules, the SOI memory kit, and SOI MathPrep as well as finishing the last 6 months of a 2 year neurodevelopment program. He retested in SOI in the 8th grade, showing that several abilities had been built, including his very low sequencing and memory. His math computation score at the end of 8th grade was 87% on the CTBS test! This young man is now in public high school, in grade level and honors classes, and has been on honor role for two years. Last semester he earned a 4.0 GPA!

 

Reading Success

Erik Matthew was 16 ½, in high school EGC classes.  He was known as a friendly, imaginatively distractible student who could read only at the first to second grade level. After 1 month of reading tutoring 1 to 1½ hours per week, he could read at the 3rd grade level (with the help of phonics and an Irlen overlay).  He also began doing several SOI modules for judgment and organization, balance enrichment, and some working with clay. He has continued 1 hour weekly reading and doing SOI modules. After 3 years, he is now known for his mature life choices and responsible attitudes at home, school, and work. His favorite subject to read is science textbooks at the 6th to 7th grade level, and his reading is continuing to improve! Way to go Erik!
A Transformed Girl

  Another homeschooler had been approximately 2 years behind in reading, writing, and math. She was socially and verbally immature for her age, distractible, and prone to temper tantrums.  She took the SOI test at age 8 ½ and began doing SOI modules, the SOI Memory Kit, as well as over two years of vision therapy. The Belgau Balance board, SOI LanguagePrep, and hands-on multi-sensory tutoring methods were all added to her program. Her moods have been very stable for a few years now (she is occasionally asked if she is a year older than she is), and her social skills are excellent (she is very active in church youth group and is a regular leader in children’s ministry). She had her first year of public school in 8th grade where she made honor role.  Her reading and verbal skills came up to grade level. Her dysgraphia (uneven, poor handwriting) has completely improved. Her hidden gifts also began blossoming. In 8th grade she was in honors art, and also won a small creative writing contest! She is now taking several honors classes in high school and maintaining very good grades.

 

Marcia’s story

We cannot help others without being blessed ourselves—right? That has been true in my case. Besides enjoying each one of the kids that I work with, I have been able to apply SOI, Belgau Balance board, Irlen glasses, and some of the multi-sensory learning  methods to my own weak areas with great results.
SOI — My first SOI test showed that, though I was gifted in a few areas, I had very low scores in classification/organization and in auditory memory. These were no surprise to me. I was a very visual learner and a clutter bug! I began fitting in 5-10 minutes of SOI classification modules daily and did all of them twice. After 4 to 6 months, organizing made sense and I could remember where I put things. Eventually people began complimenting me on my organization! As I work with kids’ auditory memory skills, it has given me practice as a side benefit. I recently passed SOI/IPPs Auditory test with no remediation needed!
Irlen glasses – I have worn them for over two years now, and they have been wonderful! They have greatly improved symptoms that my regular bifocals didn’t help: eyestrain during reading and at the computer, depth perception, driving fatigue, and winter moods. 
Belgau Board – The balance board helps me with clearer vision.(This was the first improvement I noticed–improved eye strain. My optometrist has also verified that my eyes have improved consistantly over the last four years. Every two years I need a weaker prescription.) Besides this, it has helped my ability to pay attention. memory, writing, and occasional foggy thinking. Clients have seen my speech and response to their questions improve before their very eyes, as I stood on the board!

(Amazing as it seems, there are families that I work with who tell me that they notice a difference with their children’s reading, memory, coordination, vision therapy progress, and even musical ability, when they use the Belgau balance board!).
 

Many of the most highly creative and intelligent people are among those who struggle with dysintegral issues. These are: dyslexia (affecting reading, writing, and/or spelling), dyspraxia (affecting balance and coordination), dyscalculia (affecting math abilities),  and dysgraphia (poor handwriting).

The SOI-IPP therapy and/or Belgau balance enrichment, and SOI and other learning resources created for the predominantly figural (visual-spatial, hands-on) learner, are making a tremendous difference in overcoming these learning problems. Multi-sensory, multi-channel methods (teaching that reaches right-brained as well as left-brained learners) are woven into the personalized follow-up plans. Sequencing abilities, letter and word recognition, reading and math comprehension, ability to remember and follow directions, overcoming test anxiety, organizational skills, and focusing and attention abilites are improved with the individualized follow-up plans at Positive Learning Solutions.

The key is to unlock each person’s unique learning style, appreciating each one’s strengths, to facilitate quality learning.

Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual disorder that effects an estimated 15% of the general population, 45% of those with a learning disability or  Attention Deficit Disorder, and documented much higher among those in correctional facilities. It is a light sensitivity that causes any number of symptoms which can include any of the following: poor reading, losing one’s place while reading, eye fatigue, headaches, poor attention span, distractibility, preferring dim light, eye strain from computer use, poor depth perception, difficulty with glare day or night, poor peripheral vision, words that seem to move or other distortions. For those experiencing even just a few of these symptoms, a full Irlen screening is recommended. The screening is approximately 1½ hours.

Those affected by Irlen Syndrome can have very different personalities, functioning levels, and sets of symptoms.

• Some may be slower readers, often losing their place, having a lower comprehension of what was read.
• Some may have ADD or AD/HD or general behavioral problems (with or without reading difficulties).
• Some may be higher functioning and have neither of the other two, (or may have milder versions of them) but experience head or eye aches, fatigue from reading, or discomfort from computer glare. This group often can graduate from college and do well, often by needing to work twice as hard as the unaffected person.

SSS is a hereditary condition which has a growing body of research among noted psychologists and psychiatrists around the world. Colored overlays and custom tinted glasses are Irlen’s patented methods to reduce or eliminate perceptual difficulties that are a barrier to learning. I have been wearing Irlen lenses since May of 2004 and have had most of my visual discomforts eliminated, which had not been helped by my regular glasses.

To find out more about Irlen symptoms, the Irlen method, and also the growing body of Irlen research visit www.irlen.com.  To set up an Irlen screening, order colored overlays, or get information on how to get Irlen glasses or screener training in the Willamette Valley contact us.

 

The SOI assessment is a great way to enhance learning abilities and avoid learning problems. It is a unique assessment with a follow-up of personalized, brain-building materials and suggestions. It is a diagnostic test of how each person processes information. The grades 3-adult “CR” tests 27 different abilities, the grades K-3 “L” tests 11 different abilities, and there is a pre-K to grade 1 Learning Readiness test as well. SOI pinpoints our strengths and weaknesses in several different areas of comprehension, memory, problem-solving, evaluation (judgment, cause and effect) skills, and different types of creativity. Valuable vision processing and auditory memory screeners are included as well.
A variety of recommendations from SOI Systems (and also from my mini pre-screenings) come with the results. Depending upon the individual’s profile, the follow-up may include: An SOI-IPP sensory-motor and focusing skill assessment and follow-up program; a personalized workbook of brain-building modules; a vision processing enrichment workbook and CD-Rom; multi-learning style materials for building reading and vocabulary comprehension, math concepts, memory, following directions, evaluation, and other abilities; recommended activities, games, and methods; best career fits and strategies to make those fits stronger. SOI can be very useful in sorting out learning disability patterns and may lead to referrals to other specialists such as developmental optometrists, audiologists, or others. In effectively pinpointing needs and ways to immediately begin overcoming or reducing them, many students begin to avoid the frustrations and stigma usually associated with learning problems.
 SOI is making a difference in many schools in the United States, Canada, and worldwide—including the full SOI/IPP program (both the cognitive training and SOI’s patented sensory-motor integration therapy) in 25 states under the name of Bridges Learning Systems. Documentation is being built regarding:

• Significantly improved student body test scores
• Greatly increased reading fluency in children, teens, and adults
• Reduced on-campus crime
• Documented increases in over 20 IQ points (using WISC and other IQ tests)
• Advancement of students to higher grade levels or out of special education programs. 

SOI is also making a difference in many social service programs, correctional institutions, and businesses. For everyone, SOI is a great way to know our own strengths, weaknesses, and how we best learn. It helps us discover the potential God has given to each one in His creation!
Individual and several group rate options.

To find out more about how SOI can make a difference, visit www.soisystems.com and www.bridgeslearning.com.  Contact Marcia at 503-391-6928 or positivelearning@earthlink.net. References available.

• Is your child struggling academically, but showing talent in different ways?
• Does your child have difficulty focusing,
  remembering, or following directions?
• Are you frustrated because of the lack of hopeful answers as to what can be done to help?

At Positive Learning Solutions we offer hope.
After pinpointing strengths, weaknesses, unique learning styles, and perceptual processing deficits, the student or adult can permanently build up weak areas and begin to experience a new success.

The learning interventions here at Positive Learning Solutions had its beginnings with of years of seeking information and specialized training by some of the best researchers and developers of educational intervention available, in order to help my own homeschooled  children and their unique needs.  It is not traditional tutoring—I like to call it brain-building tutoring, educational therapy, or accelerated learning. It involves identifying a student’s or adult’s strengths as well as weaknesses, in order to plan the best  personalized approach to take for learning readiness, in-depth remediation, or enrichment. As you can see in the following pages, we have experienced some cases of profound successes (see Success Stories). I hope this site can be an encouragement and road map for many who seek the best for their children and themselves.
I always prefer to begin with the Structure of Intellect (SOI) Assessment of learning abilities. It serves as a road map, so to speak, to facilitate any educational or career guidance. SOI is a diagnostic assessment of the necessary learning abilities needed for school and for any career. Perceptual difficulties are often detected, and further sorting out and pinpointing of what can be helped can come as a result of the SOI test. Then the  SOI-IPP assessment of sensory-motor and focusing skills gives a more complete road map of fun, personalized exercises that help the learner overcome dysintegral issues that often hinder learning and/or career stability. See more about SOI-IPP on the
Sensory Integration Enrichment page.  Irlen Scotopic Sensitivity Screening and Dyslexic Tutoring interventions can be part of the individualized recommendations also. I have been licensed, certified, and/or trained by each of these companies that are making such a positive difference in struggling students worldwide. The results of using these approaches and fine resources has changed the course of our whole family, as well as many others. I am thankful for the opportunity to be doing such a rewarding service and am dedicated to helping students and families experience learning success.

Let me help you discover your learning potential,
Marcia