Jordan started on the Dore Programme in May 2005. At this time we were becoming increasingly concerned about his behaviour and clumsiness. He was struggling in the classroom and had been written off as a naughty child. He would just not do any work in literacy and dreaded any handwriting exercises. His teachers called him ‘slow’ and ‘lazy’ and he was often kept in at playtimes to finish his written work. Jordan would often call out inappropriately in class and struggled to sit still for any length of time. His reading, science and maths work just wasn’t happening on the same level.
Jordan had always been ‘clumsy’ and had broken his legs three times by the age of three. It was a standing joke at his day nursery that I had to sign the accident book on so many occasions that they should have one just for Jordan! Beyond this had few friends and suffered at the hands of bullies who saw him as an easy target.
We also had concerns with ADHD, the constant confrontations, oppositional behaviour and fidgeting were driving me to despair! Not to mention the constant stream of chatter that did not stop, for anything! Jordan wasn’t very happy either and his confidence and self-esteem was at an all time low. I didn’t want him to remember his childhood as being a miserable time and was terribly concerned he’s be prescribed with retilin if diagnosed with ADHD.
I came across the Dore Programme through a friend who’s son had been through the programme and had positive results so decided to follow suit. After the initial assessment which was a long day but worth every minute, we embarked on the exercises. The tests showed that Jordan’s vestibular balance (inner ear) was especially poor and worked on this in particular. The exercises are planned to suit each individual so it works on his particular needs.
Within three weeks Jordan was riding his two wheeled bike, unaided. His concentration and his ability to stay on task improved considerably. He was so calm as well, as if seven years of pure frustration had evaporated. His handwriting was the most impressive improvement, within four weeks it became neat and tidy and usually all the letters are the right way round. This is most noticeable in his weekly spelling book.
Since commencing on the Dore programme Jordan is like a different child His self esteem has gone through the roof as he is now getting positive comments and remarks and realises that he is good at things.
Areas such as social skills, relating to others and making friends are so much better too and watching him charge up and down the playground playing football with his mates is a delight. We continue to see these improvements everyday in fact his recently received the class ‘Star of the Week’ because of his excellent report in Maths, Science, Design and Technology, Geography, RE, Art, physics, English AND PE!!
It sounds corny but seeing Jordan as a much happier and more confident child means more to me than any of the academic changes.