Summary of the Audiblox diary of
Kori Mitchell in California

Below is a summary of the Audiblox diary of Kori Mitchell in California. Many visitors have been following Kori’s diary on the Audiblox message board in which her mother, Michelle Potter, updated her daughter’s progress at first twice per week and later once per week. On April 15, 2003, Michelle summarized Kori’s progress:

“Kori began Audiblox in January 2002. It has been 1 year and about 3 months. Kori was in the middle of her 4th grade year in homeschool and was 9˝ years old. When Kori started she struggled at 1st grade reading. She was basically a non-reader. She needed me for everything. We had tried everything. She had done several phonics programs and she couldn't apply what she was learning to her reading. She couldn't spell at all. She had trouble telling the difference between similar words like ‘saw’ and ‘was’ or ‘on’ and ‘no.’ She reversed words and letters in writing and copying. All this was after completing 8 months of vision therapy. We had her tested by several educational specialists and they all said the same thing. Kori, at 9 years old, had the IQ of an average 13 or 14 year old. She had very high thinking skills but had almost no visual memory. She had low auditory memory but we were told this was her strength and to build on it by reading everything to her. They said that was the only way she'd ever learn because she would never read well. We were told that she was in the 1% category of learning disabled children and chances for success were almost non-existent. We tried everything. Tons of money and tears went into teaching her.

“I finally came across Audiblox and was very tired and weary at the thought of spending so much time on it. I also doubted that I could actually do a good job at this program. I asked questions on the message board where Susan and Benetta offered me an opportunity that I felt was from the Lord, to do a diary on Kori. I felt that this would be good because they would try to help me in every way they could. I needed the backup and was grateful for the help and encouragement. So I ordered the set and began a little over a year ago.

“Now here we are! We are rejoicing in how far we have come. I can't believe that Kori is reading at grade level although still slow due to eye problems that aren't correctable. But she is there! I had recently tested her on the McCaw - Crabbs reading comprehension sheets, on which I timed her and she scored at a 3.9 grade level. Without timing her she can read 5-6th grade work. It is awesome. She never reverses letters, words or numbers anymore. Her spelling is still weak but has jumped up to 2.9 grade level. She can now write a story in manuscript or cursive in a timely fashion and the spelling of simple words are usually correct!

“We have had her re-tested by the same specialist by whom she was tested before starting Audiblox. They said that her visual memory is at grade level and that her auditory memory has gone off the charts. She is very, very advanced in her auditory skills. I have to say that she remembers everything she hears. I will read to her and test her weeks later on what I read and she will remember everything without studying or reviewing. Her visual processing memory is great also. Now when she misspells a word and I correct her and give the proper spelling she rarely ever misspells it again.

“Math is another area in which we have been blessed. Although she has never been behind in math and has always performed well, she was slow. It would take up to 2 hours at times to finish one lesson. I often had to assign only odd or even numbers if I wanted to finish the day while the sun was up! Now she completes her lesson in about 45 minutes and is getting straight A’s in math.

“Concentration and work tempo are more things in which I've seen huge improvements. She can stay focused as long as I ask her to. I am very impressed that she can sit through school for hours on end. Sometimes I'll tell her that we can take a day off if she doubles up on math, grammar, history and reading. Then we can go somewhere on a field trip. She does this with no problem. Before Audiblox we had to take many breaks. Today Kori reads one chapter of the Bible and one chapter from a reading book daily in addition to Audiblox, math, and her other school work.

“I also want to point out that Audiblox has been our main focus for the last year, not academics! I was very light on the school side of things because we wanted Audiblox to be our main focus. Some days all she did was Audiblox; Audiblox for 60 min.

“I considered Audiblox before everything else. So the success goes to Audiblox for her achievements.

“Thanks to Benetta for customizing her program, Susan for moral support and encouragement and Dr. Jan for parenting advice!”

Well done Kori, you truly are a STAR!!

Even though Kori took the summer off she continued to improve in reading and spelling. It was therefore clear that she no longer needed Audiblox, and we decided to discontinue the diary. As someone stated, there is life after Audiblox!