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Dyslexia: What's in a Name?

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The following letter was written in response to an article published in the Daily Mail August 2005, the subject of which introduced research by Professor Julian Elliot of Durham University which indicates that the current analytic processes used to diagnose Dyslexia have created an artificial ‘disability' which correlates the ability to read and write with intelligence, and the inability to learn to read or write by an otherwise bright child as the sole necessary evidence of the condition.

The new research provides not only physical evidence of a difference in the brain structure of those who can not learn to read and write by traditional means, but research evidence that the processes used to teach the ‘bright' dyslexic works equally well with those whose low IQ has previously concealed the underlying problem.

As somebody who has suffered similarly (in my case my near blindness took the blame until I was in my early teens) it is an issue I find intensely interesting. As can be seen, I liked the witing, I do however take issue with the subeditor who stupidly decided to give us this very disturbing title.

Dear Julie,

Viz Daily Mail of Friday 25th August.

I would like to register my objection to the headline "There's no such thing as dyslexia, claims academic" attached to an otherwise blameless article. The article happens to be a well balanced attempt to address the subject, given the available material.

Attaching such a disturbing headline, knowing that many people only read the headlines, is a chilling reminder of how much the press can contaminate otherwise good writing.

There was nothing in the article to suggest that any of the researchers had actually found any evidence to support the headline's message "there's no such thing as dyslexia", this is a vast oversimplification of the issue and is not the point that was intended.

Despite this many employers and HR personnel will feel able to reject dyslexic applicants out of hand, mistakenly relieved that they can't be held to discriminating against a disability any longer.

Please could you at least publish a further article with a balancing headline of equal weight. There must have been considerable feedback from the TV program, and that alone should provide the opportunity for such an article.

Yours sincerely,

© I am the website administrator of the The Wandle Industrial Museum (http://www.wandle.org). Established in 1983 by local people determined to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced for the benefit of the community.

Article Source: ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com