Originally published in The Dyslexic Reader, Issue 5 Copyright (c) Spring 1996 -year DDAI.
Koosh Ball Therapy
By Ronald D. Davis There is a simple and fun way to check whether a student is oriented, and train her in what being on point feels like. Use the light, furry toy balls made out of rubber band material. We don’t recommend using other balls, like tennis balls or ping-pong balls, because they have a tendency to “bounce” out of the person’s hand before they can grasp them. You can start doing it periodically after Fine Tuning, described in Chapter 17 of The Gift of Dyslexia. Stand six to ten feet away from the person, or a little closer for small children. Start by telling the student to “get on point”, meaning to put her mind’s eye on her orientation point. Have the person balance on one foot as described in Chapter 27 of The Gift of Dyslexia. She can stand on either foot, and can switch feet at any time. Hold both balls in one hand. With the student comfortable balanced on one foot, say, “Catch one ball in one hand and the other ball in the other hand.” Underhanded, toss each ball one at a time. Toss gently, aiming about chest high towards the center of the person’s body. Each time you toss a ball, say, “One in one hand, one in the other.” When the student can easily catch a ball with either hand without losing balance, repeat, “One in one hand, one in the other.” Then toss both balls simultaneously. Aim for a position directly in front of the person on her mid-line. If properly tossed, one ball will be on each side of the mid-line of the body. Be sure to toss them so they can be easily caught. When the student catches the balls, praise her and do it again. After a while, tell her, “I am going to toss them both to one side of you. I want you to catch them without losing your balance.” Do this for each side, so the student has to cross her mid-line with both hands to catch both balls. Be careful not to aim too far to the side, or you will cause he person to lose balance. That’s all there is to it.