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Menu Approach Features Benefits The Exercises Commentaries Dr. B. H. du Toit Mr. Peter Nel Our Success Adam's Story Articles
Audiblox is a multisensory cognitive enhancement program, aimed at the development of foundational learning skills, which are necessary for school entry, for sustained achievement at school, and to overcome learning disabilities. Probably the most conspicuous feature of the program is its almost unlimited adaptability. It offers astounding possibilities of development to both the gifted and less gifted child. To the high school student it can be of very great value, as it develops memory (both visual and auditory) and concentration to a very high degree, while it can also be used for the preschool child from as early as three years of age. Audiblox is an excellent program for the purpose of preparing the preschool child and the school beginner for reading and learning. Audiblox is indispensable in the remedial education program. In all cases of reading and spelling problems, astounding results can be obtained through regular and continued use of Audiblox. Even children who are seriously dyslexic can be helped to overcome this problem completely. Improvements of as high as 40% in school achievement have already been obtained through the use of Audiblox. Audiblox can be used individually as well as in a group.
Audiblox aims at developing and automatizing foundational learning skills. A foundational skill is not the same as a process, strategy or technique. The difference between these can be explained by using the game of basketball as example. In order to be a basketball player, a person first has to master the foundational skills, e.g. passing, dribbling, defense, and shooting. Only after that can he be taught strategies or techniques. Audiblox develops and automatizes the foundational skills of reading, spelling, writing, mathematics and the skills required in the learning of subject matter. A list of the most important foundational skills addressed by Audiblox includes:
Generally, about two-thirds of each Audiblox lesson is aimed at developing and automatizing the above-mentioned foundational skills, while about one-third of each lesson is devoted to application, for example reading and spelling exercises.
Audiblox opens up new vistas for all those with learning and reading problems. It is based on scientific learning and reading principles that have been researched over a period of years by Dr. Jan Strydom. This explains why Audiblox is being employed so successfully in solving learning and reading problems. It provides answers to many of the riddles that have been plaguing experts on the subject of learning and reading problems. Scientists from many fields of enquiry would do well to take note of Dr. Strydom's work and should put Audiblox to the test, so that they may also discover its effectiveness. Educationists, educational authorities, and teachers especially should take the new prospects made available by Audiblox very seriously. It offers many possibilities of application in education, because it improves reading and spelling ability, sharpens concentration, develops perception and memory, and enhances logical thinking. It can put innumerable pupils, at present experiencing failure at school, on the road to successful learning. For the first time there is real hope in the battle against learning and reading problems, not only inside the classroom, but also outside. Dr. Strydom must be congratulated on a revolutionary, brilliant, but at the same time simple and easily applicable program. Prof. E. J. van Niekerk ********************************** A large number of students are at present experiencing problems with learning. These are evidenced, for example, in a short attention span, in reading and spelling problems, in difficulties with math, in restlessness, etc. On the causes of such problems there will probably never be complete agreement, but of far greater importance is the question: what can one do to help such students? Over the past six years I have had the privilege of getting to know Dr. Jan Strydom's Audiblox program. I have referred many students so that they might follow the program, both in individual and group situations. Without exception I was impressed by the positive results that were achieved. A factor that, in my opinion, enhances the value of the program is the fact that such positive results could be noticed in all age groups — toddlers, children, young university students and adults. The benefits of the program also extend beyond its use merely for the solution of specific learning problems. Also to persons who wish to improve their cognitive abilities — even when no specific learning problem is present — the program has shown its undeniable value. Dr. B. H. du Toit ********************************** Learning failure is a problem faced by most teaching institutions today. One can debate about the causes but the fact remains that the majority of scholars experience this problem at some time or other in their school career. As we all know, concentration, memory and especially reading are essential if effective learning is to take place. We were introduced to Audiblox one and a half years ago when we recognized the immense potential of this system. Our first noticeable success was a pupil who came to our school with a poor academic record and whose prognosis was poor. The child was able to concentrate for extremely short periods of time only. In addition, he could not retain information for any period of time. After three months of intensive Audiblox training, a remarkable improvement was noted by all his teachers. The child passed tests for the first time in his school career and has moved on to the high school where he is coping. Our group results were just as convincing and not only did the pupils benefit substantially, but they also enjoyed the Audiblox sessions. Teachers noted that pupils who attended these sessions were far better in class than previously. Their attention span had increased, leading to better academic performance. These results convinced us that each pupil in the school should benefit form Audiblox. All our teachers have received training and are enthusiastically conducting Audiblox sessions. Mr. Peter Nel I never thought I would be writing this statement, but my dyslexic son doesn't seem to be dyslexic anymore! The symptoms have all disappeared. After all I've read on the subject of learning difficulties, this was not supposed to happen! When Jeremie was near the end of Grade 2, he was diagnosed as being dyslexic. He had been struggling in school since kindergarten. His tests showed an average intelligence but he couldn't learn to read and write like all his friends. This took a big toll on his self-esteem and I watched my little boy go from a happy, secure child to a depressed, insecure one. I began my search for something to help him there and then. I swore to him and myself that I wouldn't give up until I had found a way to help him learn easier. I just couldn't believe that there was no hope, that he would always struggle with anything related to words on paper. That is what my research told me over and over for 2 years. We tried the special ed. teachers in school using various methods, Orton-Gillingham among others. Nothing. The school kept telling me they wanted to hold him back, have him repeat his year in Grade 2 and 3. I figured if he didn't get it the first time around, what did they think was going to happen the second time? They needed to change the way they taught him, not the other way around. I was very dissatisfied with the results. They agreed to let him pass with a promise from me to work with him through the summers. We tried The Davis method as laid out in Ron Davis's book "The Gift of Dyslexia" for 7 months, we tried visual therapy for 8 months. With each method we lost precious time as Jeremie still struggled in school, getting 40 or 45 in reading and writing. He was spiralling downward and thought he was very stupid indeed. Then, when I was getting pretty much fed up with methods promising results but not delivering them, I was told about Audiblox. I call it... destiny. I was sent a video that showed children benefiting from this method. I was told how it was discovered. I was still sceptical until I was shown "The Right to Read" in its manuscript form. I was amazed at how well researched this book was and that it discussed everything I've been reading for the past 2 years while researching. It answered many questions and just made so much sense! I decided to give Audiblox a try. The staff supported me every step of the way. Something I was not used to, getting personal attention made us feel that we were important, not just another 'customer'. We began near the end of Grade 4. After only 3 weeks, Jeremie began to show progress. His concentration improved and he became organised. As we went along, doing Audiblox every day for half an hour, he went through various changes. Changes in his thought pattern. The base for learning had never been prepared and that was what was missing, why he wasn't learning anything new, since he never grasped the basics in the first place. After a few months he began internalising his thoughts, no longer needing to repeat everything out loud in order to remember. His sense of direction improved dramatically. He used to get lost just walking to a friend's house a few blocks away. Now he became aware of East, West, North and South. His drawings improved. He was adding detail, no longer just drawing stick men with no faces! And of course, his reading and reading comprehension improved over the next few months. It has been 10 months since we first began Audiblox. Jeremie is 11 years old now and nearing the end of Grade 5. I just received his report card where he got a 75 in reading and a 72 in writing. This is phenomenal for a so-called dyslexic who used to average in the 40's! He recently told me that he no longer gets a stomach ache when he reads. He can now read for an unlimited time period whereas before he could only go for 5 minutes or so. He is improving all the time and his self-confidence is back up where it should be, he feels great!. I have spoken to a few parents who have gone through what I have, decided to try Audiblox also and they are beginning to see results too. There are 2 in Canada who have been doing Audiblox for a few months now seeing the same improvements in concentration as we did. There are a few in the US, one in particular has been doing the program for about 4 months and has had astounding results, their daughter has improved dramatically in all areas. I promised myself that if I ever found something that worked I would tell every person I could about it, so that they won't have to waste years and years searching for a way. The people involved with Jeremie's education are beginning to sit up and take notice, they are as astounded as I am with the results. Jeremie and I thank Dr. Strydom and Susan du Plessis from the bottom of our hearts for all their hard work in putting this method together and presenting it in "The Right to Read", without it we would still be shedding tears and Jeremie's future would be less promising."
********************************** I feel as if part of my daughter's mind was trapped, and Audiblox set her free. She's always had some difficulty with language and has had trouble "processing" information. She would be classified as dyslexic, although the trouble is not limited to reading. She learned to read after three tear-filled years -- I thought our troubles were over! However, she could not spell at ALL, not the simplest words, and could not seem to grasp how anyone could ever learn how. Also, her handwriting/printing was unrecognizable as such. It was as if she would forget in the middle of the letter how to make it, then trail off into a scribble. Also, she has had a great deal of trouble with math concepts. We began using Audiblox (spelling program) 6 months ago, and the results have been just stunning. Within a month, she was able to remember how to spell a few words, and then just like a baby learning to talk, she began to experience a rapid snowball effect. A few months after we began using Audiblox, she said as we were driving around on errands--"Mom, I think I know how to spell library." And she did! And this was not an isolated moment, only the first. She is now almost an intuitive speller. Really, it's a miracle. Six months ago, her spelling tested at a Kindergarten level, and is now at a 6th grade level. This is just still so amazing to all of us who have struggled with her. Other benefits of using Audiblox have been her confidence level -- right away she felt successful with the blocks. Also, her ability to use language in general has improved greatly -- she speaks more expressively, and she's beginning to grasp punctuation. Her ability to focus on and comprehend new ideas in math has improved too. Her handwriting has not changed much, but I am going to begin with the Audiblox handwriting program, and I am looking forward to the results! Audiblox was a shot in the dark for us when we were feeling desperate. I'm so grateful that we discovered this before our daugher spent more time failing unnecessarily. Thank you! The Adams household ********************************** Adam had so many learning difficulties when we first began with Audiblox that all I could do was hope, with all my heart, that this would finally be the program that would help him. We had struggled for so long; and I have to say we because he has always been taught at home and it has been a long arduous process teaching him to read, write and do basic math. Since none of our other children had the difficulties with learning that Adam displayed I knew he needed special help; help that I did not know how to give him. Thank goodness for the Internet because that is how I found Audiblox. Adam was already 16 years old by then and well aware that he had learning difficulties (why wouldn’t he, when his younger brother was ahead of him in subjects like math and reading). When I told him about the Audiblox program he was willing to give it a try so we ordered the program and the journey began. At one time his reading was slow and halting. He would skip words and sentences and had difficulty understanding what he had just read. Reading used to be so much work for him that he didn't enjoy it and only read when he had to. Now he reads with ease and confidence. As a matter of fact, he enjoys reading so much that it isn’t unusual to see him reading for pleasure now. The first time I heard him say he was 'going to bed a little early so he could read before going to sleep' was music to my ears!! His handwriting used to be very difficult to read. Now, when he writes, the letters are smaller, more uniform in size and are legible enough for anyone to read. He even commented recently that 'it is so much easier to write now and my hands don't jerk like they used to.' His math scores have made a dramatic improvement. He is in a combined Geometry/Algebra course and lately his scores have been in the 90's or above on his daily work and tests. And for the first time ever he is ahead of his younger brother in their math lessons. Adam has come a long way over this last year. Even he comments on how much easier reading and math are for him now. In his words 'I can think faster now and my thoughts don’t get jumbled up like they did before.' He has worked very hard. He learned early on that 'attitude' was ninety percent of the battle. If he was determined and committed and did his best during the sessions, it made all the difference in the world. Yes, it was long and hard and at times boring. But anything really worthwhile takes time and effort. We both decided to stay committed and see it through. We are so grateful we did. Thank you Audiblox!!! You have given our son Adam a priceless gift.
Learning Disabilities: New Hope Through Audiblox Audiblox is a unique developmental program, aimed at the inculcation of basic skills, which are necessary for school entry, for sustained achievement at school, and to overcome learning disabilities. Audiblox can be used at home and in school. Watch Audiblox in action at two schools, interviews with a teacher and a principal, a training session for teachers and an interview with the developer of Audiblox, Dr. Jan Strydom. Special Needs Children: Miracles Do Happen The story of Sonja, who soon after birth contracted meningitis and encephalitis, causing severe brain damage. Doctors said she would never read nor write. That was until her parents heard about Dr. Jan Strydom's Audiblox program, and Sonja learned to read in 60 days. Foundational Reading Skills Click Here For More Information |