FAQ about Fast ForWord and Gemm

What is Fast ForWord?
Fast ForWord is patented learning-intervention software, specifically designed by brain scientists to build an individual’s learning capacity through exercises designed to improve brain processing speed and accuracy.

How is Gemm different from Tutoring?

We are a learning-intervention service.  We are going after the glitch that is causing the learning difficulties. Tutoring is more about providing content,  providing more of the same material your child is already seeing at school.  Our goal is to intervene and change your child's life.  More here.

How Does Gemm's Service Work?

You will need a personal computer -- we supply everything else.  We will send the pre-enrolled software, head-phones, tracking sheets and lots of motivational material.  We can also send a coach if you'd like!  If you come to a center all we need is a willing (or even, not so willing at the outset) student.

When Do I Start Seeing Results?

After about three weeks most parents start to notice signs of change.  Language gains and better confidence in younger children, more confidence in reading in older students.  Everyone is different though, and for some children the gains come more slowly.

Can My Child Do This At Home?

Yes.  If you child can work alone we can set you up to work at home, with regular uploads of data through the Internet so that we can monitor progress. If your child will need supervision, and most do, we can arrange a coach to come to your house for each session.  If you live outside our Westchester and Fairfield County coach-availability region, we can help you find your own coach. 

Do I need to live close to a center?

No.  If you do live a long way from a center, you need only come in once, for the initial screening meeting.  From then on we can work with the data downloads and phone communication.

How long does your program take?

Our average student spends 4-5 months with us, but the time varies tremendously depending on student need and age.  Younger ones take longer. The minimum period required to expect any results at all is two-months for most children.  Our average protocol is 50 minutes a day. A longer amount per day can shorten this time frame.  Similarly, a 30-minute protocol is available also which lengthens this time frame.

Are there other products that build learning capacity?

Because of the recent popularity of so-called “brain-based” educational approaches, many products make claims
about “brain building” but Fast ForWord products are the only products to date that have extensive independent
scientific validation that they actually improve brain processing for language and reading.  Over 700 papers have been written and 40,000 children have been part of trials.  It was developed in university research labs under the direction of internationally renowned neuroscientists and behavioral scientists. These scientists patented their research and brought it to market after scientific validation to benefit individuals who have not realized their full cognitive potential.

How do you know it really works?
Continuous research. Since its origins in university labs, scientists have continuously tracked the gains resulting from students using Fast ForWord.  To date there are over 90 school based research studies tracking over 40,000 students. In addition, independent research conducted by Stanford University has imaged the brain before and after the use Fast ForWord to show that areas of the brain are activated after product use.

Who benefits from Fast ForWord use?

While everyone can benefit, the vast majority of users are K-12.  The Brain Fitness Program was developed by the same neuroscientists to serve mature adults. Research has proven that at-risk, ELL, learning disabled, and emotionally challenged students have had profound life changing results from using this product.

Is this one of those products that you have to do forever?
No. Because it is designed by targeting what the brain needs in order to change. When using the recommended schedule (protocol), you will see positive results in 8-12 weeks. Because the brain is strengthening the cognitive skills, these benefits continue to last a lifetime.