Led by Dr. Ken Gibson, a specialist in pediatric visual processing, and his brother, Keith Gibson, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, the symposium reviewed the existing research on brain and memory function, visual processing, and learning theory.

For over 15 years, the two brothers had been gathering clinical experience with both children and adults. They had observed that some patients seemed to attend better and recall important facts more easily when they were given short but intense periods of training. They now asked the question, "what kind of learning has the greatest impact in the shortest possible time?"

The Gibson brothers developed a series of exercises that rapidly improved concentration and recall abilities. Soon they were ready for the first test. It was important to thoroughly assess each student before and after the training to see how effective the procedures were. The initial results were outstanding. Not only did the initial 35 cases register almost three years improvement in about three months, but a year later, 98.7% of the test findings were at or above the initial pre-program level.

As in learning to ride a bicycle or play the piano, the ability had been strengthened and was an active part of their mental tool kit. In addition, the grade scores of the children confirmed that the training had translated into superior academic performance.

Once the fundamental principles had been established, the program underwent 10 years of review and experimentation. Other educational, psychological and medical specialists were brought in and modifications were made as new research became available. It was soon discovered that students with attention problems (ADD), dyslexia, memory deficits, and other learning disabilities were benefiting.

Unlike other learning disability programs that focus on behavior management or specific academic skills, PACE seemed to improve the brain's processing ability. For the first time in educational history, a complete program had been developed that would do for mental abilities what exercise does for the body.

By 1995, all the effective components were in place. The program was dubbed PACE for Processing and Cognitive Enhancement. It has rapidly become the leading cognitive training program in the USA. Over 700 professionals in more than 350 schools, clinics, hospitals, and training locations have participated in the development, testing, and clinical use of the PACE program to date. PACE continues to collect data from offices across the country and critically reviews the results to maintain quality control.

The purpose of the intense PACE program is to produce significant changes quickly so that the student sees the changes and stays motivated to learn. The program is now distributed world-wide by licensed therapists and educators and is available for both adults and children.

It is scientifically based and asserts that training procedures can change and improve the mind and its mental structure by retraining mental skills and processes. These skills are retrained through a series of tasks that are designed to meet specific goals. The tasks are related, make repetitive demands on a deficient skill, and progressively increase in difficulty.

This is a process-specific approach to training (as opposed to a general stimulation approach). PACE works to modify mental skills, and there are numerous studies that show this modification is possible. Under studies we include the study results of the PACE program to date. The results not only show tremendous changes in processing skills (a 3.6 year improvement in 10 weeks), but also a significant transfer to higher mental skills (reasoning and logic – a 23-point gain in IQ).

PACE Training Sessions PACE consists of 60 one-hour sessions that are provided on a one-on-one basis over twelve weeks. However, there are choices on how to participate in the training.  If parents wish to assist and train than the time with a certified trainer is less. For most of the 60 minutes, thepace is fast and intense.

The trainers provide constant feedback as the student progresses through sequenced level. Each procedure is graded according to difficulty and tasks become progressively more complex.

Pace is regulated by mastery, so the number of tasks completed during training differ from student to student. In other words, once the student passes a task, he or she is then  allowed to progress to the next challenge (and more difficult task).

PACE (Processing And Cognitive Enhancement) was developed by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to quickly and significantly build those underlying mental skills that are so vital to academic success. PACE procedures are done one-on-one with a trainer. But like a video game, the training consists of many small steps and immediate feedback.  This gives maximum improvement in the shortest time. 

As a student progresses through a procedure, tasks are added to it requiring greater attention and forcing new skills to become automatic. Also, once the student achieves a task, distractions are added again forcing greater attention.

Because of this methodology… PACE achieves maximum results in the shortest period of time, stretches abilities, makes skills automatic, and builds tremendous concentration. The national results have been outstanding.  The national testimonies we get from students and parents are inspiring. 

Warning, This takes work!  To get these significant improvements requires work on the student and parents part. PACE requires at least five hours of intense training per week. A trainer can do all five hours with the student or the student can do two hours at home with a parent and three hours with a trainer. 

Yes, big results require big effort!

PACE does not claim to "cure" any diagnosis or bring the student to peer level, academically.   PACE strengthens the skills needed for the student to begin closing the academic gap, if one exists.  For those students at the top of the class, PACE pushes their abilities to the edge to enhance their chances at their goals, perhaps a scholarship.  PACE will strengthen a student's learning skills while building new synaptic pathways.

What can a client expect in a Session?

Sessions are one-on-one with a certified trainer and usually last 60 minutes.  The student is provided with a kit consisting of a workbook and additional materials. 

The trainer then individualizes the program based upon the assessment results, the client's history (medical and academic), and daily performance assessments. 

The non-academic training procedures are made up of tasks that are designed to meet specific goals. The tasks are related, make repetitive demands on a deficient skill, and progressively increase in difficulty. This is a process-specific approach to training (as opposed to a general stimulation approach). A process-specific approach targets the same function systematically and repetitively with related tasks. 

How Long is the Cognitive Brain Training Program?

Many clients ask how long will it take to complete the program to see results?  The client does not need to complete the program to begin seeing results.  Actually, the client can see results anytime.  The cognitive program requires a standard 60 hours with a trainer.  Typically, results are seen after 30 hours into the program.  However, it depends on the client.  Some clients finish the program earlier than 60 hours and others may take longer.  

Don't wait any longer, purchase your online assessment today.