The Davis Autism Approach works in harmony with the autistic individual’s way of being. Its purpose is to allow autistic individuals to participate more fully in life.
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People on the autistic spectrum are not broken – they do not need fixing. They have their own unique gifts and talents and they have the right to retain their beautiful uniqueness.
Often, though, what these individuals want is an understanding – they want to have a sense of self, to be able make sense of the world and relate positively to others. It is widely agreed that individuals on the autistic spectrum do not undergo childhood development at the same harmonious rate that their non-autistic counterparts do. They may be extraordinarily developed in one particular area whilst considerably challenged in another. [Cited from Davis Autism International] |
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Ron Davis defines three childhood development stages that ‘neurotypical’ people naturally go through:
The Davis Autism Approach is Ronald Davis’s way of providing a type of road map for an autistic individual to be able move through these three stages in a way that is harmonious with their way of being. |
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STEP 1: INDIVIDUATION - Creating an awareness of 'Self'
The starting point in a Davis Autism Approach programme is to assist the individual in the Individuation process by becoming oriented to the world, creating accurate perception and gaining self-awareness. This is achieved through the Davis Tools of Orientation, Release and Dial.
STEP 2: IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT - Exploring life concepts
When Individuation is complete, we can then begin to look at Identity Development. Developing a core identity is the foundation for new knowledge, experiences and behaviours. Because autistic individuals have not yet completed identity development, we provide a gentle, structured way to do this by having them explore’ ‘life concepts’. This is done by guiding the individual through making a simple clay model of each concept, followed by many hours exploring that concept in their environment.
STEP 3: SOCIAL INTEGRATION - Relationship concepts
Social Integration is the final stage of the programme. Individuals need to have a sense of self and a functioning identity to provide the foundation for building an understanding of relationships. The relationship concepts are also explored in clay, allowing the individual to explore different types of relationships they can have with others.
None of the concepts explored are a set of ‘rules’ – they are a framework for the individual to be able to make sense of their experiences, and begin to establish order, take responsibility, and form and maintain successful relationships.
For more information, please go to www.davisautism.com.
The starting point in a Davis Autism Approach programme is to assist the individual in the Individuation process by becoming oriented to the world, creating accurate perception and gaining self-awareness. This is achieved through the Davis Tools of Orientation, Release and Dial.
STEP 2: IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT - Exploring life concepts
When Individuation is complete, we can then begin to look at Identity Development. Developing a core identity is the foundation for new knowledge, experiences and behaviours. Because autistic individuals have not yet completed identity development, we provide a gentle, structured way to do this by having them explore’ ‘life concepts’. This is done by guiding the individual through making a simple clay model of each concept, followed by many hours exploring that concept in their environment.
STEP 3: SOCIAL INTEGRATION - Relationship concepts
Social Integration is the final stage of the programme. Individuals need to have a sense of self and a functioning identity to provide the foundation for building an understanding of relationships. The relationship concepts are also explored in clay, allowing the individual to explore different types of relationships they can have with others.
None of the concepts explored are a set of ‘rules’ – they are a framework for the individual to be able to make sense of their experiences, and begin to establish order, take responsibility, and form and maintain successful relationships.
For more information, please go to www.davisautism.com.
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programme structure
Davis Life Concepts for Autism is a flexible programme, depending on the needs of the individual. Options include:
Fully Facilitated
Melanie can take the autistic individual through the full Davis Life Concepts for Autism programme.
Part Facilitated
Melanie will facilitate the initial part of the programme and coach you through part of it, with her support, so that more of the programme is integrated into the home environment.
Workshop
You can attend a 5-day Davis Life Concepts for Autism workshop and then access mentor support while you conduct the programme in the home environment.
Fully Facilitated
Melanie can take the autistic individual through the full Davis Life Concepts for Autism programme.
Part Facilitated
Melanie will facilitate the initial part of the programme and coach you through part of it, with her support, so that more of the programme is integrated into the home environment.
Workshop
You can attend a 5-day Davis Life Concepts for Autism workshop and then access mentor support while you conduct the programme in the home environment.
"My overall experience of the Davis Autism Approach with Melanie was such encouragement and clarity for Isaac and myself. It is a truly empowering pathway towards a full and satisfying life. It gives the tools to discover who you are, how to embrace your strengths and overcome the challenges within yourself. Melanie is very efficient and organised, while being so flexible and accommodating. Her kindhearted nature and 'can do' attitude makes her such an easy person to work with, and a pleasure to be with."
Isaac's Mum
Isaac's Mum
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Contact Melanie Curry 021 367 669 melanie@optimumlearning.co.nz |
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Davis® and Davis Autism Approach® are trademarks of Ronald D. Davis. Commercial use of these trademarks to identify educational, instructional, or therapeutic services requires licensing by the trademark owner.
Professional services described as Davis™ , Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Davis Symbol Mastery™, Davis Orientation Counselling™, Davis Math Mastery™, Davis Attention Mastery™, Dyslexia the Gift™ and Gift of Dyslexia™ may only be provided by persons who are employed by a licensed Davis Specialist, or who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators by Davis Dyslexia Association International.