Experiences
Note: Those who heard Annie's radio interview with Dan Matthews may have received the impression that Annie teaches mostly individuals with severe learning challenges. She also teaches business people, those would just like to improve their reading, and students who, for some reason or other, fell behind because they either missed out on something or it was never taught to them.
Another point that should be clarified: Action Phonics™ is set up to address most all learning challenges. Brain Gym® is simply another tool to enhance the Action Phonics™ program to help achieve even greater success in a shorter time.
Here are just a few of the many students Annie has taught:
At 9 years of age, Elizabeth had no significant challenges and was ready to learn. She moved 3 grade levels in 24 hours of therapy. The following summer, she returned, very eager to learn with a goal of reading at 7th grade level. With 12 hours of tutoring, she exceeded her goal, making it through 8th grade. She averaged less than 3 hours per grade level. Now, at 11 Elizabeth loves to read and almost always has her nose in a book.
Hannah came with her older sister, Elizabeth, the second summer. She was
full of exuberance and had a ready smile. Hannah progressed 3 grade levels
with 18 hours of instruction.
Ira, 26, is the husband of Gwen. He is an electrician who also had reading difficulties. He tended to miss the little words which can be very important for comprehension. He was taking the same business classes as his wife and, needing a boost, he also came to Annie for help. Within 11 hours of therapy, He improved 5-1/2 grade levels in reading.
At 36, Diane, a Down's syndrome victim, came to the reading sessions with only a knowledge of her ABC's and a willingness to learn. Her previous teachers said that she would never learn, but after a week of therapy, she began to read and her mother cried for joy! Now, she continues to learn and enjoys it so much that she doesn't want to miss a single session.
When Irene first started school, she had vision problems, but no one realized it. They thought that she was just unintelligent. Then when she was a late teenager, it was discovered that she simply needed glasses. But by then, she had missed the basics of reading and couldn't catch up. Now, at 69, Irene's goal is to reach 7th grade level so that she can read the Bible for herself.
Little Katie, a future student was enraptured with what brother, Mickey was learning. When he was finished with a session, she would hop up into his chair with a big smile that said "Teach me, too!"
Logan is delightful 8-year-old boy. He has ADHD, Dyslexia, and Perceptual Challenges. He has advanced 1-1/2 grade levels in 24 hours of therapy.
7-1/2-year-old Mindy tested at the middle of 7th grade reading level, but she has an enunciation problem. With therapy, she is now aware of her problem and her speech is improving.
Renee is a cheerful 10-year-old girl with Down's Syndrome and tracking and midline problems. After studying with Annie, she is progressing at 3 times her normal rate in school. Her mother said, "After 3 sessions with Brain Gym® added to the reading therapy, her handwriting has drastically improved."
Ricky is 7 years of age and has a very high IQ, but he has several learning challenges including severe sensory integration problems. After several sessions including music and aroma therapy, he now enjoys picking up a book to read on his own.
11 year old Sara, a vivacious 6th grader, tested at the middle of 4th grade reading when she came for reading therapy. In 27 hours she progressed to the end of 7th grade reading. Sara enjoyed the program so much she didn't want to quit.
Kevin is a very bright young man with a great memory. He is in 10th grade, but was reading at 8th grade level. He was sight reading and struggling to understand what he was reading. Kevin also has an auditory processing deficiency including omission of word endings. He could not hear the plosive ending sounds. Within 20 hours of therapy Kevin moved 4 grade levels in reading skills. He can now hear and pronounce the plosive word endings. His self-confidence also has greatly improved. At the end of the 20 hours of therapy, his analysis was, "It really works!"