| The ALPHA Effect encourages learning through the Arts, Language Games, Phonemic Awareness Skills, Hands-on Learning, and Active Listening. This 30 to 40 session program that incorporates art and sensory motor activities with a set of Tomatis-based listening sessions. The program enhances reading skills, as well as problem solving ability, and results in increased attention span, and better pro-social skills. |
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APPLICATIONS
The program is not age-dependent, and can
benefit both children and adults. Since 2003,
Sierra Dove has implemented the ALPHA Effect
in school settings with children, K-12, including
general education, gifted, and special needs
students. In private settings, we have worked
with a number of adults who have participated in
the program for a variety of reasons. Some come
to us because of memory loss due to injury or
aging, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
depression, low self-esteem issues, or anxiety.
Some simply wish to sharpen their cognitive
abilities or spark a deeper level of creativity in
their work.
The program is not age-dependent, and can
benefit both children and adults. Since 2003,
Sierra Dove has implemented the ALPHA Effect
in school settings with children, K-12, including
general education, gifted, and special needs
students. In private settings, we have worked
with a number of adults who have participated in
the program for a variety of reasons. Some come
to us because of memory loss due to injury or
aging, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
depression, low self-esteem issues, or anxiety.
Some simply wish to sharpen their cognitive
abilities or spark a deeper level of creativity in
their work.
RESULTS
In an independent, university-based study of 64 students, including an ALPHA group and
control, conducted during the 2005-2006 school year, ALPHA students saw statistically
significant gains in receptive vocabulary and cognitive skills; reading comprehension, fluency,
and accuracy; and retelling and predictive abilities (click here to view a summary of the study) .
Steve Brady, a parent of one of our ALPHA students reported "Tristan's enunciation and
speaking ability have improved noticeably. His attention span is better and he also has an
increased understanding of material he has read. His coordination has improved and he is
more able to focus on tasks. His handwriting has improved, also." According to Dr. Anne
Calhoun from UNM who conducted this study, "Overall the picture presented of The ALPHA
Effect™ students is one that shows immense growth in cognitive, academic, and psychological
areas."
In an independent, university-based study of 64 students, including an ALPHA group and
control, conducted during the 2005-2006 school year, ALPHA students saw statistically
significant gains in receptive vocabulary and cognitive skills; reading comprehension, fluency,
and accuracy; and retelling and predictive abilities (click here to view a summary of the study) .
Steve Brady, a parent of one of our ALPHA students reported "Tristan's enunciation and
speaking ability have improved noticeably. His attention span is better and he also has an
increased understanding of material he has read. His coordination has improved and he is
more able to focus on tasks. His handwriting has improved, also." According to Dr. Anne
Calhoun from UNM who conducted this study, "Overall the picture presented of The ALPHA
Effect™ students is one that shows immense growth in cognitive, academic, and psychological
areas."
| Contact us for more information on The ALPHA Effect™ (click here) |
| Consultations and Train the Trainer workshops are available. |
We envision making these methods known to a larger audience in the medical and art-therapy
fields, whom we feel could greatly benefit from this knowledge. For example, we have seen
children and adults with significant head injuries, clinically depressed individuals, and those
who are grieving make great strides through participation in The ALPHA Effect™ . We have
worked with people of all ages with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disorders, Downs
Syndrome, those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma and autism. All have been
helped by the program.
It is our belief that The ALPHA Effect™ has a place beyond the classroom: in hospitals, other
health care and clinical settings, after school programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs, summer
camps, prisons and juvenile detention facilities to name just a few.
A recent study conducted by professors at Stanford University demonstrates that "Children do
not develop in particular domains independently of other domains. To the contrary, social
development and academic development are inextricably connected. Efforts to improve
development in one domain will be more successful if attention is given to development in the
other."
A separate independent study conducted by Dr.
Janette Issacson, Ed.D. reports, "Judging from my
analysis of the Mental Status Exams and Pro-social
Testing conducted thus far of the ALPHA Study
Group, there are definitely pro-social improvements
for the students who were enrolled in The ALPHA
Effect™ in the fall of 2005. The areas of improvement
focus around increased attention span, increased
resiliency and reciprocity, lower frustration levels,
improved listening skills and heightened creativity
and imagination." (click here to view a summary of the
study)
Janette Issacson, Ed.D. reports, "Judging from my
analysis of the Mental Status Exams and Pro-social
Testing conducted thus far of the ALPHA Study
Group, there are definitely pro-social improvements
for the students who were enrolled in The ALPHA
Effect™ in the fall of 2005. The areas of improvement
focus around increased attention span, increased
resiliency and reciprocity, lower frustration levels,
improved listening skills and heightened creativity
and imagination." (click here to view a summary of the
study)
PARENTAL LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR The ALPHA Effect™
"My son Jay was in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2003. Jay has improved in so many areas.
He gained three grade levels in reading during the program. His reading fluency grew from 39 words per
minute to 103. Other areas of improvement are improved motor skills, expressive artwork, and a
noticeable increase in maturity level. We highly recommend ALPHA and are very grateful that our son
had the opportunity to participate."
— Jackie Trahan, parent, Ruidoso, New Mexico.
"Matthew actually plays with other children at school now and he's less afraid to assert himself. He's much
more calm, slower to anger and he just generally seems happier. If there's anything else that would help
do that, I haven't heard of it!"
— Tonya Jimenez, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Jessi was enrolled in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2005. I have noticed
improvements in many areas of his life since that time.
First of all, Jessi has become more interested in learning and is a more active participant in class
activities. Jessi was very quiet in class before, but now he is more outspoken and outgoing. His attention
span is longer and he is better able to stay focused and follow directions in class. He seems happier and
is more interested in painting, drawing and music than he was before. His handwriting is clearer. He also
has a better self-image and shows more confidence in his school work."
— Kwandao Trujillo, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Both Oscar and Eduardo are more interested in reading and are more fluent in English. They speak
English at home now more often than Spanish. Both boys have increased their fine motor skills and
coordination. They are better at focusing on task and working to completion."
— Anna Gines, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Destinies attention span has dramatically improved. She is better able to follow directions. Her
handwriting, self-image, and tolerance level for frustrating situations have improved."
— Selena McCowan, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Joseph attended ALPHA at North Elementary. I would like to say that this program is amazing. I
feel that it has changed my son's life for the better. Before he enrolled in ALPHA he was drawn away from
people and didn't know how to express himself. Joey was also having a problem concentrating and
retaining information. After completing the program, Joey is more energetic and excited about learning.
He enjoys telling us what he has learned for the day, and is able to retain the information very well. The
teachers are telling us how much he has come out of his shell and he is participating more in class.
Around the house, we are not having any problems with him doing chores, housework or just helping
around the house. He is retaining instructions without having to be told more than once. Joey is also
accepting more responsibility and enjoys taking on challenges."
— William Wittliff, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Jay was in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2003. Jay has improved in so many areas.
He gained three grade levels in reading during the program. His reading fluency grew from 39 words per
minute to 103. Other areas of improvement are improved motor skills, expressive artwork, and a
noticeable increase in maturity level. We highly recommend ALPHA and are very grateful that our son
had the opportunity to participate."
— Jackie Trahan, parent, Ruidoso, New Mexico.
"Matthew actually plays with other children at school now and he's less afraid to assert himself. He's much
more calm, slower to anger and he just generally seems happier. If there's anything else that would help
do that, I haven't heard of it!"
— Tonya Jimenez, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Jessi was enrolled in The ALPHA Effect™ Program in the fall of 2005. I have noticed
improvements in many areas of his life since that time.
First of all, Jessi has become more interested in learning and is a more active participant in class
activities. Jessi was very quiet in class before, but now he is more outspoken and outgoing. His attention
span is longer and he is better able to stay focused and follow directions in class. He seems happier and
is more interested in painting, drawing and music than he was before. His handwriting is clearer. He also
has a better self-image and shows more confidence in his school work."
— Kwandao Trujillo, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Both Oscar and Eduardo are more interested in reading and are more fluent in English. They speak
English at home now more often than Spanish. Both boys have increased their fine motor skills and
coordination. They are better at focusing on task and working to completion."
— Anna Gines, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"Destinies attention span has dramatically improved. She is better able to follow directions. Her
handwriting, self-image, and tolerance level for frustrating situations have improved."
— Selena McCowan, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
"My son Joseph attended ALPHA at North Elementary. I would like to say that this program is amazing. I
feel that it has changed my son's life for the better. Before he enrolled in ALPHA he was drawn away from
people and didn't know how to express himself. Joey was also having a problem concentrating and
retaining information. After completing the program, Joey is more energetic and excited about learning.
He enjoys telling us what he has learned for the day, and is able to retain the information very well. The
teachers are telling us how much he has come out of his shell and he is participating more in class.
Around the house, we are not having any problems with him doing chores, housework or just helping
around the house. He is retaining instructions without having to be told more than once. Joey is also
accepting more responsibility and enjoys taking on challenges."
— William Wittliff, parent, Alamogordo, New Mexico
According to a year-long, university-based study conducted by
Professor Anne Calhoun of the University of New Mexico, students
enrolled in the ALPHA Effect gained more than two years in reading
level in three months time. “Students in the ALPHA group not only
improved dramatically in their reading skill, but were reported by both
teachers and parents as being happier, less disruptive, and better
able to focus in class.”
Professor Anne Calhoun of the University of New Mexico, students
enrolled in the ALPHA Effect gained more than two years in reading
level in three months time. “Students in the ALPHA group not only
improved dramatically in their reading skill, but were reported by both
teachers and parents as being happier, less disruptive, and better
able to focus in class.”
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