Cellfield Merivale Christchurch

Cellfield Merivale Christchurch

About Us

In my many years of teaching and working with students who find it difficult to read at school, I am aware that from this they can develop other problems that can affect their behaviour and happiness. By addressing the heart of the matter, what results is a happier and more secure child as well as a child who likes to read.

We are dedicated to helping your child through our unique reading programme, one that combines neuroscience and optometry research from the last 30 years and the latest research in brain scanning technology.

Three in ten children have difficulty learning to read

When initially learning to read, most children can adapt and compensate for the inefficient way the brain works. However, with more advanced states of reading it becomes problematic. Reading becomes difficult and time consuming and the reader becomes frustrated and ‘switches off’. Children with dyslexia find reading hard work.

We help unlock the power to read

New research in the area of brain plasticity suggests that our brain pathways can be changed. Cellfield’s programme aims to change the pathways in the brain and, as a result, improve reading and comprehension. Cellfield is the only program that simultaneously targets the auditory, visual and motor pathways in the brain.

Most interventions work on one aspect of the brain e.g. visual processing or audio processing, and they take time. Cellfield is different: it works on all aspects of brain functioning, and it makes changes very quickly.

Therefore, we aim to address the underlying causes of reading difficulty rather than just treating surface features.

What does our programme include?

First, we will complete a pre-assessment and an optometric test at a registered Cellfield optometrist.

Phase One is a two-week intervention which comprises of ten computer sessions that are about an hour each with homework activities each day. Re-testing is completed after Phase One.

Phase Two may be completed at the centre and comprises ten reading sessions delivered over a ten-week period. We build on the skills the student has acquired using systematic phonics and reading comprehension programmes. Students are also expected to read daily after the intervention. This often requires a change in habit and attitude but is possible because it is so much easier now as confidence and comprehension are much higher and continue to grow the more they read.

An additional post-test is carried out six months later and a final report issued.

We see average reading gains of 1-2 years in 2 weeks

Along with all of the above, the Cellfield programme helps to deal with discomfort and tiredness when reading, eye-tracking issues, difficulty sequencing numbers, letters, and words, low phonological awareness and decoding skills, poor fluency and comprehension, frequent loss of place, difficulty with attention, concentration, and retention.

On average, reading skills improve by 1-2 years after 10 hours. For adults, the average improvement is more than 5 years.

Delivered by trained specialists, the programme focuses on decoding skills and how they can improve future recognition of unfamiliar words. Cellfield is designed to assist dyslexic students, but it is greatly beneficial for all learners.

Contact Katharine today to arrange a free consultation to discuss how Cellfield can help you or your child.

 

Location: Stapletons Tutoring Centre, 124 Stapletons Road, Christchurch

Optometrists:

Foate Optometrists, Bishopdale
Anstice & Associates, Riccarton
Specsavers, Riccarton

Services

  • Testing for Learning Concerns
  • Dyslexia Screening
  • Irlen Screening
  • Initial Reading Assessment
  • Cellfield Reading Intervention (from 7 years to adult)
  • Optional Ongoing Specialist Assistance
  • Tailored Tuition Programmes for children (remedial & extension)

Services

  • Testing for Learning Concerns
  • Dyslexia Screening
  • Irlen Screening
  • Initial Reading Assessment
  • Cellfield Reading Intervention (from 7 years to adult)
  • Optional Ongoing Specialist Assistance
  • Tailored Tuition Programmes for children (remedial & extension)