Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T22:24:30.046Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Research into the Doman-Delacato Method: Implications for Special Educators

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2016

Extract

In the last 20 years there has been considerable attention given to what has become known as the Doman-Delacato technique for the treatment of learning-disabled children (Delacato, 1959, 1963, 1966; and Doman, Spitz, Sucman, Delacato, and Doman, 1960). The treatment technique is based upon a theory of neurological organization that argues that each child's ontological neurological development is the same as phylogenic development of man as a species. It is argued that after conception the neurological development of man proceeds through successive resemblances to the fish, amphibian, animal, mammal, and finally becomes that of homo sapiens. This series of resemblances is considered to be a reflection of the development of the central nervous system from the spinal cord, through the old brain to the cerebral cortex and finally to the emergence of the dominance of one cerebral hemisphere.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Australian Association of Special Education 1978

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Campbell, D. and Stanley, J. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Chicago: RandMcNally, 1963.Google Scholar
Delacato, C. H. The treatment and prevention of reading problems: The neurological approach. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 1959.Google Scholar
Delacato, C. H. Diagnosis and treatment of speech and reading problems. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 1963.Google Scholar
Delacato, C H. Neurological organization and reading. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 1966.Google Scholar
Doman, R. J., Spitz, E. B., Sucman, E., Delacato, C. H., and Doman, G. Children with severe brain injuries. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 1960, 174, 257262.Google Scholar
Gardner, J. M., and Radel, M. Submission to the Queensland Minister for Health on the Doman-Delacato controversy. Unpublished manuscript produced by Psychology Department, University of Queensland, 1975.Google Scholar
Hallahan, D. P., and Cruickshank, W. M. Psycho-educational foundations of learning disabilities. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, 1973.Google Scholar
Hughes, J. and Scrymgeour, L. Effects of motor programmes upon reading and spelling achievement. Australian Journal of Special Education. 1977, 1, 2225.Google Scholar
Kershner, J. R. Doman-Delacato's theory of neurological organization applied with retarded children. Exceptional Children, 1968, 34, 441456.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
National Health and Medical Research Council. Report of the Therapeutic Methods Subcom-mittee to investigate the methods used by the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential, 1977.Google Scholar
O'Donnell, P. A. The effects of Delacato training on reading achievement and visual-motor integration. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1969, 30A, 10791080.Google Scholar
O'Donnell, P. A., and Eisenson, J. Delacato training for reading achievement and visual-motor integration. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1969,2,441446.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robbins, M. A study of the validity of Delacato's theory of neurological organization. Exceptional Children, 1966,32,517523.Google Scholar
Robbins, M. Creeping, laterality and reading. Academic Therapy Quarterly, 1966, 1, 200206 Google Scholar
Robbins, M., and Glass, G. V. The Doman-Delacato rationale: A critical analysis. In Hellmuth, J. (Ed.), Educational Therapy, Vol. 2. Seattle: Special Child Publications, 1969.Google Scholar
Stone, M., and Pielstick, N. L. Effectiveness of Delacato treatment with kindergarten children. Psychology in the Schools, 1969, 6, 6368.Google Scholar