Snake Oil? or Legit? Society Of Magnificent Minds.

I wanted to put this out here for the experts on Snake Oil, Woo-Woo, and Science to explain where we should categorize this.

I want to introduce the Society Of Magnificent Minds.
http://ift.tt/2elQtyO

It starts out like this:

Quote:

Did you know that 72% of students in remedial classes will drop out of school?

I question the validity of that statistic. It is not cited.

Here is their 'mission' http://ift.tt/2dvac1F (Remember that most public schools have in place, Individualized Educational Programs, that parents have the ability to utilize)

Quote:

We firmly believe that dyslexia is not a learning disorder. Dyslexia is a learning difference. The Society Of Magnificent Minds was founded on the principles that every student with Dyslexia, ADHD, Executive Functioning and Dysgraphia needs a personalized approach to their education. Our Action Plan of Success guarantees skills, resources and knowledge that will improve grades and motivation for Dyslexic Minds.

I question the instant scaring of all parents of dyslexic children or parents of children with other Special education needs.

If you read about the person making these claims, you will find she is not a doctor. She has 'experience' http://ift.tt/2elPMWs

Quote:

What I've done 10 YEARS OF DEDICATED RESEARCH. RESOURCE IMMERSION. Parent, two children with Language Learning Differences. Education, Law and Society Network Specialist Resource Specialist Educator, Speaker Advocate Consultant "My journey began 10 years ago. Two children with Dyslexia, Auditory Processing and Executive functioning diagnosis left me overwhelmed for years, time spent making a lot mistakes, wasting crucial time, wasting thousands of dollars, years of sifting through mountains of information, trying to find answers and years researching and collecting top tier resources. Those resources became my children's lifeline.

As with most potential snake-oil sites, it eventually leads you to the Store.
http://ift.tt/2dv9Zvg

Where you can purchase this:

Quote:

Begin A Plan Coaching: Two Hours of Consultation, Bonus Assessment Package Included 125.00 Two Hours of Coaching for The Price of One. Includes A Blueprint Of Master Plan, Organization and IEP Review and Strategies: Bonus Assessment Package. Total Value $500.00.

or this:

Quote:

Five Step System of Educational Success Package 299.99 799.99 Includes Assessment Package. 5 Hours of Personalized Consultation and Question and Answer Segments. Blueprint and IEP Review. Binder and Organizational Materials. Completed Master Plan For Educational Success

The most troubling thing about this, is a Facebook post selling a $7000 Tuscan retreat.

In the post they claim

Quote:

The best way to learn language for Dyslexic Students. 12 Spots Left

A large portion of children with these learning disabilities have families that can't afford such things, and many have families who won't bother to go to their schools and get them Individualized Educational Programs.

The website is basically telling people that the best way to teach their children is to go on this Tuscan retreat, or spend hundreds of dollars for consultations, however, it really only applies to people who can afford such luxury, and the site is really only appealing to that small fraction of people.

When you find a statement like this on the website:

Quote:

*It is a fact that the amount of jail cells built in America are based on reading level assessments. If you are non-literate adult or juvenile, at second grade reading level or lower, the majority of that population will end in the penal system.

It makes you wonder if they are appealing to the fears of parents, in order to make money, rather than appealing to facts with citations.

I appeal to this community here to help uncover anything that I am missing.
If you go to their FB page, there are some people arguing their use of numbers without citation, and when they do cite, it is typically anecdotal.

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2dv8jBQ