Top researchers have called for the term ‘dyslexia’ to be abandoned, saying that it may not actually exist.
They say it is being overused by middle class parents who fear their children who are bad readers will be called stupid or lazy.
Experts from the US’s Yale University and the UK’s Durham University have said that the use of the label lacks meaning.
They claim in a new book called The Dyslexia Debate that resources are being wasted by putting children through diagnostic tests and say the umbrella term is used too readily for children who often display vastly different reading problems.
The book, based on five years worth of study, argues that parents are being ‘woefully mislead’ about the value of a dyslexia diagnosis.
In Australia up to 1 in 5 people are thought to have dyslexia.
But the authors of The Dyslexia Debate say that more focus should be put on helping children to read, rather than finding a label for their difficulty.
The authors say that it is clear some children do have complex reading problems, but that the definition of dyslexia is so broad that it is difficult to make any meaningful separation from other poor readers.
“In every country, and in every language, a significant proportion of children struggle to master the skill of reading and some will continue to find it difficult throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
“Typically, we search for a diagnostic label when we encounter problems because we believe that this will point to the best form of treatment.
“It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the parents and teachers of children with reading difficulties believe that if the child is diagnosed as dyslexic, clear ways to help them will result.
“Research in this field clearly demonstrates that this is a grave misunderstanding.”
In The Telegraph Professor Julian Elliott, a former teacher of children with learning difficulties says that symptoms in one person leading to a diagnosis of dyslexia are often absent in another person similarly diagnosed. He says what helps one pupil with dyslexia may not help may not help another.
The book stresses that it does not question the existence of the real, sometimes complex, problems some children have with reading.
Instead they say that the main focus for teachers and professionals should be to spot reading difficulties early in children and “intervene as quickly as possible rather than search for a questionable diagnosis.”
Dr John Rack from Dyslexia Action however still insists the term retains a scientific and educational value.
He told Metro UK ‘We don’t buy the argument that it is wasteful to try to understand the different reasons why different people struggle.
‘For very many, those reasons fall into a consistent and recognisable pattern that it is helpful to call dyslexia.’
For more information on dyslexia go to The Australia Dyslexia Foundation.
For more information on the book The Dyslexia Debate go here
Top Comments
It's strange this label exists but no label exists for those who aren't good at maths calculations, if I feel stressed numbers seem to swim before my eyes and calculating even easy amounts seems very difficult, yet conversely people often mention that I have a flair for writing, and I was close to top of my high school year for English.
This is also though what I find very strange is that Maths and English (well languages) are supposed to come from the same side of the brain, yet most people I know who are good at one are bad at the other. But then again is a flair for writing English skills or creativity?
Can anyone explain this please?
There is a term for difficulties with maths - it's called dyscalculia.
I had my son assessed in prep because it was apparent his difficulties in reading were more that a slow start. The educational psychologist didn't diagnose dyslexia as such but stated, based on results, that he shows many of the indicators you would expect. I knew he had a learning issue, told the school, asked them to modify certain things in the class but they were reluctant with out expert opinions. Even now it is hard to get the school to deviate from the mainstream. I have always understood the label represented a continuum, that not every child with a learning problem has the same experience. The trouble is learning problems are not recognised in any meaningful way by the government as it is -so if experts argue over a name what hope do we as parents have that our children will receive the best education possible. What hope is there that new teachers will be taught proven methods and strategies that will assist children to read? There is no support available for the extra assessments, supports either in the classroom or outside of it. My son has a range of issues to address. He goes to swimming lessons and gymnastics to help overcome some of his motor skill issues. He is working with an OT to assist with handwriting and social skills - the OT also works with the teachers around routines and behavioural concerns and a speech pathologist (fortnightly) who specialises working with "dyslexic" kids to try and catch up is phonological skills. As a parent in a rural town it is incredibly hard to no where to start and then know how to coordinate everything to ensure you are doing everything you can. There is no where to go to get meaningful support. I contacted the education department who told me to talk to the teachers and gave me a list of websites (some are great by the way). I can only hope the school will step up - but they become very defensive when you challenge them on there methods. They want a quick fix but for children with learning disabilities there are none.
As a teacher who works with children with learning difficulties I find it is often the parents who want the quick fix. I realise it is a marathon and not a sprint, sometimes it can take years to see the results of intensive work. I am also surprised that teachers are not keen to embraced suggested modifications. As a side note, I have read many reports from 'experts' and a lot of them appear to be rather generic, change the name and the information remains the same which is a shame because as an educator who really wants the best for my kids I would actually like some real findings not 'such and such falls within the normal range of blar blar blar' i do hope you get the help and support you and your little boy need. Good luck!