Expert sparks dyslexia debate

Apr 7 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

A NORTH East education expert has sparked debate by claiming thousands of children are being falsely diagnosed with dyslexia.

Professor Joe Elliott, from Durham University, believes many parents with children who have difficulty in literacy lessons push for them to be diagnosed with dyslexia so they can get the extra support they need.

Prof Elliott says this leads to children being falsely labelled and ignores the fact there are simply many children who struggle to read and should be given help at an early age.

The academic, a director of research at the university’s School of Education, has voiced his concerns as figures reveal the number of children being diagnosed with the condition has risen considerably in the last few years.

He said: “Many of the messages that I have received from parents have pointed out that the system has forced them to use the dyslexic label in order to access additional resources.

“Parents believe that if their child were to be diagnosed as dyslexic, clear ways of solving their problems would emerge.”

Prof Elliott’s views are provocative, but it’s not the first time he’s sparked controversy over the subject.