Speld NZ Challenges Claim That Dyslexia Label is Harmful

Speld NZ Challenges Claim That Dyslexia Label is Harmful

A controversial author’s claim that the term dyslexia should be abandoned is disappointing and misleading. That’s the view of SPELD NZ, a not-for-profit organisation that has assisted people with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities for the last 40 years.

Visiting British Professor, Julian Elliot, claims the label “dyslexia” hinders efforts to help children with reading difficulties in New Zealand.

However SPELD NZ’S Chairperson, Marion Fairbrass, disagrees.

“Professor Elliot queries the scientific validity of diagnosing for dyslexia because of differing definitions of dyslexia. There are different definitions, but they have a lot in common and they all include the inability for otherwise bright children to learn to read, write and spell at the same rate as their peers.

“A diagnosis in itself does not ‘fix’ the problem. However a diagnosis sheds light on why a child is having difficulty learning to read, write and spell. A full diagnostic educational assessment will also show which cognitive functions are strong and which are weak, giving good guidelines for how to help a child acquire literacy. Understanding a child’s learning style and needs can be a real breakthrough for classroom and specialist teachers. In addition, reassurance for the child, parent and teacher that they are not “dumb” or “lazy” cannot be over stated.

“There are specific strategies that can greatly help a child with dyslexia, as SPELD NZ has proved for over four decades. We know that making sure a child can hear and isolate the sounds in our language is foundational. Many with dyslexia need extra help to be able to do this. There is now compelling research to show that SPELD NZ’s specialised, early intervention can significantly boost success at school for a child with dyslexia.” To read more about this, please see http://www.speld.org.nz/downloads/Pilot%20NZJESarticle.pdf

ENDS

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