Fast ForWord Series of Therapies at The Davis Center

Fast ForWord™ Series

What is the Fast ForWord™ Series?

They are training programs in the form of interactive, computer-based training programs for the language-learning impaired and are the culmination of 20 years of research surrounding brain plasticity (the scientific principle that the brain never ceases to learn). These programs are a revolutionary proven approach to rapidly building the skills necessary for language competence.

The series includes Fast ForWord Language™, Fast ForWord Language to Reading™, and Fast ForWord Middle & High School™. Fast ForWord Language™ focuses on children ages 5-12, while Fast ForWord Middle & High School™ is geared toward adolescents and adults. Fast ForWord Language to Reading™ is a subsequent program used after mastering Fast ForWord Language™ and is available for those up to age 16.

Who can benefit from the Fast ForWord™ Series?

Children, within the Fast ForWord Language™ program, have shown improvement in auditory processing speed, working memory, serial order processing, phonological awareness, listening comprehension, syntax, and morphology. In addition to the measurable gains in language, anecdotal evidence suggests that children who have completed Fast ForWord Language™ are better able to interact with parents, teachers, and peers. On average students make 1 to 2 years of language gains after completion of the 4 - 8 week program. These new language skills empower children to participate in the world in ways that were not possible before Fast ForWord Language™ training.

The Fast ForWord Middle & High School™ program helps adolescents and adults improve overall communication skills, as well as listening, thinking, and reading skills, and may foster participation in group or class discussions. Training may vary due to compliance issues with individuals who have ADD and/or Pervasive Developmental Disability.

Fast ForWord Language to Reading™, used after the Fast ForWord Language™ program, focuses on the critical elements of language and reading, which in turn increases the individual's awareness of grammar and syntax.

Why does the Fast ForWord™ Series work?

Most children naturally acquire language during the first few years of life but research has demonstrated that a significant number of children fail to develop these skills on their own. About 10% of all children have a specific difficulty making reliable distinctions among elements of speech. Every child needs to acquire the ability to reliably distinguish the rapidly changing phonetic elements of speech. Fast ForWord Language™ is the first proven method to teach this skill to children who do not learn it naturally and Fast ForWord Middle & High School™ works for adolescents and adults.

The Fast ForWord Language to Reading™ program builds upon the skills learned in Fast ForWord Language™ and targets skills required for reading. It refines the skills perfected by Fast ForWord Language™ and improves phonological awareness, sound letter correspondence, word recognition, listening comprehension, verbal fluency, and reading fluency. Additionally, the program is used for the enhancement of spelling, reading, and comprehension. Fast ForWord Language to Reading™ not only expands the language and cognitive skills, but also introduces new skills, by building on the acquired processed speech skills.

What does the Fast ForWord™ Series involve?

Fast ForWord Language™ involves an initial evaluation, extensive training sessions lasting one hour and 45 minutes daily (five days per week) for an average of 6-8 weeks, and a post evaluation. The interactive program (in the form of computer games) is uniquely adaptive and automatically adjusts to each child's improving level of competence. The child must be able to stay focused on the computer for 20 minute segments, and must be able to tolerate the use of headphones during treatment. All training will be performed at The Davis Center, unless a Home Program is arranged. All training sessions are supervised and the Certified Practitioner will review the daily performance activities.

The Fast ForWord Middle & High School™ program involves an initial evaluation, an average of 4-6 week training sessions, and a post evaluation. The training includes exercises in listening and reading comprehension, working memory, syntax and grammar, critical thinking, sustained and focused attention, organizational skills, and vocabulary and morphology, Like Fast ForWord Language™, this program is uniquely adaptive and automatically adjusts to each person's improving level of competence. The participant must be able to sit, attend, and focus on a computer task for a minimum of 90 minutes. They must also be able to tolerate the use of headphones during treatment. This program can be done in our office or in your home.

The Fast ForWord Language to Reading™ protocol offers 5 training exercises with multiple training components within each exercise. All 5 exercises are used daily, with variable times for each (10 to 30 minutes per exercise), based on the child's performance. This program can be done in our office or in your home.

Virtually every everyone that uses these programs, within the rigorous and compliant regimen outlined, will receive measurable benefits.

Why use The Davis Center?

The Fast ForWord™ training program is only available through qualified professionals who have completed a Scientific Learning Corporation Certification Seminar. Dorinne S. Davis M.A., CCC-A, FAAA, President/Founder of The Davis Center, and members of her staff, are certified practitioners of these programs.

Request Information for the Fast ForWord™ Series.