Dianne Craft is a special education specialist who developed Brain Integration Therapy and right-brain teaching strategies to help homeschooled children with learning challenges like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and attention issues.
Who is Dianne Craft?
Dianne Craft holds a master's degree in Special Education and Reading Specialist certification, with over 25 years of experience helping children with learning challenges. A former homeschool mom herself, she founded Child Diagnostics, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. Her approach stands apart from typical special education because it focuses on correcting underlying issues rather than just accommodating them. She's a regular speaker at homeschool conventions and has become a trusted resource for families whose children are bright but struggling to learn.
Key Takeaways
- Developed a three-pronged approach: Brain Integration Therapy, right-brain teaching strategies, and nutritional support
- Brain Integration Therapy uses daily midline exercises to strengthen brain hemisphere connections
- Programs help children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other learning challenges
- All methods can be implemented at home by parents without professional therapists
- Parent testimonials report significant improvements in reading, writing, and attention
The Three-Pronged Approach
Dianne Craft's system addresses learning difficulties from three angles. Brain Integration Therapy uses specific daily exercises (20 minutes, four days per week) to create stronger connections between brain hemispheres. Right-brain teaching strategies leverage visual and photographic memory strengths that many struggling learners possess. Nutritional interventions address how biochemistry affects learning, focus, and behavior. This comprehensive approach recognizes that learning challenges often have multiple causes requiring multiple solutions.
Brain Integration Therapy
The cornerstone of Craft's approach is Brain Integration Therapy (BIT), which she developed in 1988. The therapy consists of six core exercises—writing eight, eye eight, ear eight, cross leg toe touch, cross crawl, and fencer—designed to create efficient pathways between the right and left brain hemispheres. Parents implement the program at home using the Brain Integration Therapy Manual, which includes demonstration videos and progress tracking. The exercises are simple enough for any parent to teach, regardless of educational background.
Who Benefits from These Methods
Craft's programs help children with various learning challenges: dyslexia (reading difficulties), dysgraphia (writing difficulties), dyscalculia (math difficulties), ADHD/attention issues, autism spectrum conditions, sensory processing problems, and children who are bright but struggle academically. Parent testimonials describe children going from non-readers to fluent readers, math-resistant kids showing obvious progress, and writing becoming less of a daily battle. Results typically develop over six months to three years of consistent implementation.
Available Resources
The Brain Integration Therapy Manual ($50-75) is the core resource, including demonstration videos. Specialized DVDs cover topics like "Smart Kids Who Hate to Write" and "Teaching the Right Brain Child." The Right Brain Reading Program helps struggling readers with dyslexia. Craft also offers phone consultations for families needing personalized guidance. Her website provides free articles explaining her methodology and helping parents identify their child's specific processing challenges.
The Bottom Line
Dianne Craft offers homeschool families practical, parent-implemented strategies for helping children with learning challenges. Her approach differs from traditional special education by focusing on correcting underlying issues rather than just working around them. While results require consistent daily effort over months or years, many families report significant improvements in their children's reading, writing, and academic confidence. If your bright child is struggling despite your best teaching efforts, her resources are worth exploring.
