Helen's Philosophy
Think ‘how are you smart’ – not – ‘how smart are you’. I believe there is more to intelligence than can be measured with an IQ test. I see my clients as unique individuals with a unique way of thinking and that is why I approach our work together in a creative, flexible, forward thinking and compassionate way.
A relationship based on trust and respect is something I encourage from our initial contact. A comfortable, relaxed and safe setting sets the stage for helping clients discover and break down their barriers to learning.
I keep things simple. I look for the big picture, and that allows me to apply practical wisdom for practical solutions to help my clients move forward in life.
Helen's Biography
As an educator, and consultant specializing in dyslexia, Helen draws upon over 25 years of teaching experience; facilitating Davis Programs since 2003, and a lifetime passion for helping others.
University was Inspiring
Helen graduated from Guelph University in 1985 with an Honours Degree in Child Studies, with an emphasis on exceptional children. The comprehensive program provided a strong base for her future educational career but she was most influenced by the teachings of Robert Munsch (her professor and the now celebrated children’s author) and his wife Ann. Helen learned from them the art of facilitating self discovery, the subtleties of communicating respect and compassion and the importance of treating children as unique individuals. These values became rooted in her teaching methods and later in her private practice, working with both children and adults.
Teaching was Rewarding, but Something was Missing
From university, Helen went on to teach in the public schools of Ontario for almost 20 years. She was grateful for not only the teaching experience but also the knowledge she gained from hundreds of children, and their parents. These experiences helped lay a strong foundation for her future private practice.
Helen’s last 10 years in the schools were spent focusing exclusively on special education. She developed several systems and programs catering to the individual needs of her students and constantly sought out new methods to improve her student’s success in school. Helen attended many workshops and conferences searching for an answer to why these bright, capable students were struggling and what to do about it. Feeling discouraged with seeing few gains and so much effort, she contemplated that perhaps there really wasn’t a better way.
The Light Bulb Moment
It was however by chance that she discovered the Davis methods. At first it was a book, The Gift of Dyslexia, lying on a friend’s coffee table that peaked her curiosity, but speaking with friends who have dyslexia and a timely presentation in Toronto by the book’s author, Ronald Davis brought it all together. It was perhaps her own light bulb moment as she finally found answers to her questions. The Davis approach reflected an understanding of the underlying thought processes and learning style that her struggling students shared and she now understood that this was considered dyslexia. Aside from an understanding, there were answers to fix the problems, and break down the barriers to success. In fact, through this process she experienced some significant self discovery - she too shared this thinking style – which has allowed for an even deeper personal connection with her clients.
Fulfilling, Effective and Eager to Educate
Since becoming licensed to work with the Davis methods and establishing Mind Over Dyslexia in 2003, Helen has had the pleasure of facilitating positive change in the lives of many children and adults from all walks of life.
One of Helen’s personal goals is to educate others and share this new perspective on dyslexia and learning in general. Her public interviews include a 30 minute segment on Global T.V.’s Body and Health show and two 1 hour guest spots on CHML radio. Helen has been invited to guest lecture for the Child Development Resource Connection in Peel Region, Private Education Forum, Living Arts Centre, the Toronto District School Board, as well as various Chapters locations in the Golden Horseshoe.
Licensed to provide:
Licensed since: September 14, 2003
Certifications:
Travel: I am willing to travel to clients
Online services: I coach online or in person
Delivery Languages: EnglishEnglish
Azira N., 34 years old, Accounting Specialist
The most important thing that I learned from the program is "being in control". I know how much I suffered in silence as a child and later as an adult. The Davis Program is an excellent program to help you with the orientation, concentration and focus. Helen is a great facilitator and the most amazing educator who made learning fun and easy for me. Letters and sounds will never confuse me again. • Best of all is getting rid of my dizziness. After two weeks of training with focussing my dizziness disappeared!! I was never able to go for a roller coaster ride due to my dizziness, but guess what, I recently went on the largest roller coaster ride with four loops two times in a row, and felt no dizziness at all! This is just unbelievable! I am happy I can enjoy my childhood for the first time at this age! • I loved the way you taught me, I have never felt so comfortable learning in my entire educational life. Thanks Helen, Thanks Davis Program!
George, 49 years old
In the past five days, I am reading a lot better - writing and spelling is also a lot better. My voice projection seems louder. I have an overall feeling of becoming more confident.
Heather, Marisa's mom, 7 years after her program
Things are going very well for Marisa. She is a big advocate of herself and her dyslexia but each year she grows and grows.
Last year she did not need any extra time for any tests or exams although she did write in a different room so she had the option in case she needed it. We got her a MacBook pro which she loves and creates on. She is so good at prioritizing and studying and making her own study tools (she still draws mind maps).
Last week she was awarded a scholarship medallion (she is in grade 12 now!) for maintaining at least 80% in all 6 terms. Last year in her last term she had an 89% (with a 95 in photography!)
She is still dancing 20 hrs per week plus dance at school and last Spring she co hosted and coproduced a TV series of 10 shows for Rogers Cable Mississauga called "Teen Talk".
I know it sounds like I am bragging-- but this is the same child who came home from Grade 5 in tears stating that she was stupid. We are so proud of her!
She is applying to Ryerson and York for Film Production and wishes to be a producer, director or casting agent (plus she wants to write the script at the same time!)
She has plan B to take the year off and do some more acting to reconnect with "the community" and we are fine with that since she will only be 17 when she would go to University next fall.
Anyways- thanks always for touching our lives and teaching Marisa that she was special and certainly not stupid!
Heather H.
Derek's Mom (2-1/2 years after his program)
Our son struggled terribly with writing. The assignment of a single paragraph produced tears, procrastination and frustration. Derek was crashing into his own limitations: We needed to find a way to help him see that he really could find a way through, that he did have good and valuable ideas that were worthy of expression, and that expressive power was indeed available to him. He needed a different path than the school was able to provide.
Helen's work with Derek provided just that path. After a week of Davis work, we could see him begin to regain hope and confidence. He still has to work at it, but now Derek understands that his brain works a particular way and if he works with rather than against himself, he really can develop and write ideas into paragraphs and essays. Now in high school, he is attracted to writing poetry and recently completed a whole assignment poetically.
Derek went from being a kid who cringed at working with words to being interested in poetry! He still enjoys the quiet focus of working with clay and a dictionary. I think he probably always will. Helen's deeply encouraging, quietly confident approach and her own profound experience with Davis really do make it into the lives of her clients. It's one thing to possess something really great and share it. It's another to make it possible for others to fully possess it. And for that, we're very grateful to Helen McGillivray and Mind Over Dyslexia.
Alison S.
Gage, 9 years old
Now I'm able to spell words that I've never been able to spell...NEVER! When I read, words are starting to come out that have just been hibernating in my brain for the last six years. There is a big change in my writing - it's much neater.
Gage's Mom (3 months after his program)
Before the program our son avoided reading using excuses from a sore arm, headache etc that was because he was not able to read. Gage was reading and writing at a kindergarten level at the end of his grade 3 year. Every morning he woke up with, “I don’t want to go to school”, “The teacher always yells at me”, “nobody likes me”, “The teacher always gets mad at me”, “I have no friends”, “I hate my life”, etc. etc.
Our son went on a one week program with Helen. Every day after the program when I picked him up, he always spoke great words describing Helen’s patience, kindness and how great it felt to have someone understand how he can learn. He wished he could stay longer than a week. He came home a “Spartan”, he was going to keep fighting to win! Helen gave my son the ability to learn which also gave him his self esteem. There was such an incredible difference in him after this one week program that I don’t know where to begin! Not only has his reading reached a grade 3 level (within 2 months of the program), but his printing is better, his self esteem has improved, his whole person seems to be so much happier. I rarely hear the words about being yelled at, no one liking him etc. We continue our clay words weekly (we do about 3 a week), daily koosh ball (which helps immensely), and reading.
