By Abigail Marshall, © 2005
The Davis Attention Mastery® program
includes specific tools for self-regulating attention focus and energy
level. These tools enable children and adults to work and study without
reliance on medications commonly prescribed for ADHD. These tools
include:
- Orientation or Alignment
- Davis Facilitators use several mental focusing techniques, including Davis Orientation Counseling®,
Davis Alignment, and Davis Auditory Orientation, in order to enable
clients to exercise control over their perceptions and mental focus.
- Davis Dial-Setting.
- Dial-setting is a technique used to
enable clients to become better aware of their own energy level, and to
develop sensitivity to the energy levels of others around them. With
this tool, the individual develops the ability to precisely regulate
his own energy level, avoiding bouts of hyper-activity in inappropriate
contexts.
- Davis Concept Mastery.
- Davis providers also use clay modeling to explore concepts like self, consequence, change, order/disorder, sequence, or responsibility to help their clients better control their own behavior and understand its impact on others.
The Davis approach to ADHD is described in-depth in the book The Gift of Learning, by Ron Davis.
Why Drugs and Davis Don't Mix
Licensed Davis Facilitators usually will not work with clients
taking medications commonly prescribed for ADHD, such as Ritalin,
Strattera, or Concerta, as those
medications generally interfere with the individual's ability to
learn and apply the mental focusing techniques that are
integral to the Davis program. Additionally, many medications
prescribed for other conditions, such as depression or anxiety, may
also prevent successful utilization of Davis techniques. In general,
psycho-active drugs, stimulants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors seem
to stand in the way of a successful Davis program.
In order for a student to experience long-range success, it is also
important to follow through after completion of the initial intensive
week with a Facilitator. It is particularly important that individuals
practice the various mental focusing techniques regularly, so that the
use of these tools becomes natural and habitual.
Most Davis clients who wish to end their reliance on medication to
control behavioral or attention focus problems are successful in doing
so. However, to achieve this success, the Davis tools must be used
consistently and regularly. This is not always easy; conditions which
cause fatigue and stress may also prevent the successful use of the
Davis tools on occasion, and anyone can have a bad day.
Thus, for the Davis program to be successful, it is important that
the clients be truly motivated to change, and ready to assume
responsibility for regulating their own behavior. It is also important
that parents be supportive and encourage their child to use the Davis
tools. It can be tempting for a parent to return to use of medication
after the program, especially when the child returns to school;
however, this can undermine the success the child has previously
enjoyed with the tools. Not only do the medications interfere with the
child's ability to employ the techniques he has practiced successfully
in the past, but it also sends a mixed message: on the one hand the
child is told that he now has the ability to control his orientation
and energy levels with Davis techniques, and on the other hand is being
told he must take a pill because the techniques have somehow failed him.
Davis providers will evaluate each case on an individual basis.
Although a Davis provider may refuse to accept a client because of
concerns about medications, the provider will not make a direct
recommendation as to whether to continue with medication. Rather, the
issue of whether to continue with medication is one that each
individual must determine in consultation with the prescribing
physician.
In general, medications that are prescribed primarily to regulate
attention level or behavior are the ones most likely to prevent success
with the Davis program. In most cases, medications prescribed for
physical ailments or illnesses such as asthma, hypertension, or
diabetes would not be a problem. However, it is always important for
the prospective Davis client to disclose fully to the provider any
medications that are being taken -- including nonprescription
medications or natural, herbal remedies -- so that the provider is
aware of the possible influence of these substances, as well as
possible issues related to the underlying condition being treated.
Abigail Marshall is the author of the book The Everything Parent's Guide To Children With Dyslexia and has been the webmaster of the Dyslexia, the Gift web site since 1995.
Marshall, A. (2005). A Drug-Free Approach to ADHD.
Retrieved October 22, 2009
from Davis Dyslexia Association International, Dyslexia the Gift Web site: http://www.dyslexia.com/library/drugfree.htm
