Does the Program work equally well for ADD and AD/HD as it does for dyslexia?
Although there is some variation in the symptoms caused by each difficulty, we
find these conditions often coexist; ADD, AD/HD and dyslexia respond very well
to the treatment with 90% of clients showing significant improvements.
Is the DORE Program effective for people of all ages with Learning
Difficulties, or just for children?
The DORE Program is effective for adults and children from 7 years of age
impacted by learning difficulties.
Is there an ideal stage for people to begin the DORE Program?
You must be at least 7 years old to begin the DORE Program. This is because DORE
has found that younger children find it very difficult to comply with the tests
that we do and conform to the exercise program.
Are there any side effects or dangers associated with the DORE remediation?
There are no specific detrimental effects or dangers associated with the
program. Clients may experience slight, brief balance disturbances during
specific exercises for balance stimulation. Some clients may also experience
short-term mood changes.
How long does the program take?
Although response time varies among clients, the program typically lasts about
12-18 months. Exercises are performed twice a day for up to 10 minutes per
session.
Do I need a doctor referral to visit a DORE center?
No, a referral from a doctor is not required, although many doctors do refer
clients to us.
Who prescribes the treatment?
A practitioner consultation and examination is part of the first visit where the
client's initial exercise program is discussed. On follow up visits, DORE
specialists monitor and analyze the progress of clients and review the next set
of assigned exercises with them.
Who conducts the testing? What are their qualifications?
The DORE testing is conducted by fully-trained specialists who are required to
participate in a formal training program complete with examination and
certification.
Are DORE Center methods safe?
Yes, there are no drugs used and the tests are neither invasive nor painful.
Are the exercises the same for everyone?
No. They all are tailored according to the findings of the initial assessments
and the progress made by each client during the program. We have over 250
exercises to choose from. Cerebellar function is tested every six weeks to
assess the areas which need to be stimulated. Appropriate exercises are
prescribed accordingly.
Will the DORE treatment affect a child's creativity?
No. It seems that creativity is the product of a powerful "thinking brain." The
DORE therapy works on the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that links
the thinking brain to the rest of the body. Individuals with good creativity
improve their skills even more.
What kind of research has DORE conducted to prove that the treatment is
successful?
Research includes studies conducted by the Exeter University and Sheffield
University in England. Each study shows remarkable progress in reading,
comprehension, writing, self esteem, social skills, coordination, and attention
among children who completed the program at DORE.
What kind of results can a client expect after completion of the DORE Program?
While results may vary, many DORE clients no longer suffer from many or most of
the symptoms that they once experienced. For some, symptoms are completely
eliminated. Research also indicates that clients continue to improve even after
they have completed the program. Students regularly report a higher level of
achievement in school and adults experience better work performance, attention,
organizational skills, and confidence. Most clients also experience significant
motor-skill improvement including writing, sports, balance, and coordination.
How is dyslexia related to the cerebellum?
The cerebellum is a highly complex area of the nervous system and is sometimes
referred to as the "hindbrain." It contains 50 percent of the brain's nerve
cells despite being 10 percent of the total size of the thinking brain. With
its numerous connections to the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum appears to be
strongly associated with integrating sensory data, including visual and
auditory information and links to the language areas of the brain. Poor
development or early damage to the cerebellum is shown to impair development of
language and decoding skills necessary for the acquisition of reading and
writing but does not affect intelligence. Because dyslexia usually exists
within the context of a normal or above normal IQ, the difference between skill
level and intelligence helps identify the difficulty.
How are ADD and AD/HD related to the cerebellum?
Recent research has shown that the cerebellum is underdeveloped in people with
ADD and AD/HD. There is evidence that the connections between the cerebellum
and the frontal parts of the brain are poorly developed also. In fact, the
underdeveloped areas of the cerebellum appear to be in the older areas of the
cerebellum where much sensory information from the balance organs is situated.
This is why sensory and balance stimulations have such an impact on attention
and behavior.
How is Dyspraxia related to the cerebellum?
The typical symptoms of dyspraxia are low muscle tone, poor development of motor
skills, poor balance, and poor posture. All are classical symptoms of poor
cerebellar function. Recent studies have shown that dyspraxic children have
typical cerebellar neurological signs. At DORE we find that many children
diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD and AD/HD have evidence of poor development of
their motor skills. Trying merely to train new skills does not deal with the
long-term issue of poor cerebellum function. There is a need for a program to
improve cerebellar function rather than improve just specific skills. This is
exactly what DORE is doing with its exercise program.
How is Autism and Asperger's Syndrome related to the cerebellum?
Autism and Asperger's syndrome are conditions where there is often the sort of
learning difficulties commonly seen in the population (e.g. ADD, ADHD,
dyslexia, and dyspraxia) but with significant social and communication
problems. Autism severity can vary from high functioning levels with only minor
difficulties to severe deficits with lack of speech and severe behavioral
problems. Much of the research into autism and, more recently, Asperger's
suggests that there are significant underlying structural and functional
cerebellar problems. Damage to certain areas of the cerebellum closely mimics
the symptoms of autism where there are attentional, speech, and communication
difficulties. The cerebellum is closely linked to the area of the brain (the
limbic system) that controls emotions and emotional development and behavior.
How does the exercise program stimulate the cerebellum?
By testing cerebellar function, DORE has found that those affected by learning
difficulties show very poor performance of skills requiring the continuous
involvement of the cerebellum (balance and coordinated eye movements), a
condition we call Cerebellar Development Delay (CDD). Exercises incorporated in
the DORE Program are simple to perform but complex in their effect on the
cerebellum. They stimulate the cerebellum to function more rapidly and to
enable the development of previously poor motor and cognitive skills. The
exercise program directly impacts motor skills while cognitive skills slowly
improve through the exercises' stimulatory effects.
What are some examples of the exercises and how does each of them affect the
cerebellum?
DORE's exercise combinations and sequences result from years of research and
development and are consistently updated to improve response. Each exercise is
different and is combined with other exercises for varied effects. For example,
the client sits on a large air-filled ball with feet off the ground and bounces
straight up and down. Simultaneously, the client tosses a beanbag from one hand
to another. All of the processes required to complete the exercise are
influenced by the cerebellum and, as a result, builds cerebellar
function.