 COGNITIVE and READING:
Cognition and Reading are the cornerstones of The Thinking Center. We use short-term intensive trainings for long-term outcomes.
COGNITION involves the ability to process and visualize information, use memory more efficiently, improve auditory processing connections and gain confidence in overall thinking function.
READING involves sound to symbol connections. Reading training inlcudes the following skills: segmentation, blending, auditory processing, code knowledge, multi-syllable management, fluency, and comprehension. Most students who need intensive reading training do exceptionally well with Phono-Graphix which is simply the most well-respected reading method that was developed in 1996. It is a hands-on learning process to get kids reading on level efficiently. Most students need between 24-36 sessions. Students who are dyslexic generally begin with intensive auditory processing training and move towards unlocking their potential to managing words on the page.
PACE (Processing & Cognitive Enhancement) Program - since 1999. A solid course of Pace includes 36 hours of hands-on training by a Thinking Center educator and another 36 hours of home procedures with a family member or significant other. The procedures are intense, challenging, fun, and leveled so success can consistently be measured. It also includes an intense auditory processing training component.
Training is the key to the difference between this type of training and standard tutoring. We train a student to process, to use the memory more efficiently, attend to tasks better, and use logic more regularly. PACE does not train in math, English or other academic subjects. Tutoring does that well, and we do continue to offer those services. PACE programming trains a student's underlying skills so that academics can become easier.
If your child is disorganized and/or frustrated when studying, makes frequent "careless" errors, does written work slowly, needs instructions repeated or has difficulty comprehending and remembering, PACE can have a direct impact on his/her school work.
The Thinking Center screening includes evaluation of attention, short-term memory, long-term retrieval, processing speed, and visual and auditory processing.
PACE has advantages for those labeled as dyslexic, ADD, ESOL, at-risk, or students falling through the cracks who don't seem to qualify for services.
We use the PACE programs for children (starting age 6) through adults. Not only do we use it for our students with learning issues, but we also use it in our speech program and cognitive rehabilitation for children, teenagers, adults, and senior adults.
PACE strengthens mental abilities by training and exercising working memory, processing speed and attention skills. All of these skills are required throughout life. By improving and automating these skills, the key to learning fast and efficiently is discovered. |
