Dyslexia is a complex condition which affects each person differently and it is irrespective of intelligence, race or social background. It is life-long, but the effects can be minimised by targeted literacy intervention.
Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Dyslexia Action comments: "Once again dyslexia seems to be making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It is frustrating that the focus should be on whether dyslexia exists or not, when there is so much evidence to support that it does.
"It is true that there is a strong link between literacy and unemployment. And we know from our own research that there is a higher percentage of offenders amongst the prison and probation populations who are dyslexic or have literacy difficulties. However, these individuals are no more likely to commit a crime and the associated links are the result of reduced opportunity due to poor educational attainment.
Mrs Cramer concludes: "The dyslexia community has over 30 years experience in working with individuals with a range of complex specific needs. For this reason it has never been more important for us to work in partnership with Government, Local Authorities and individual schools to ensure that those at risk of school failure are identified early, so that the right intervention is provided throughout our education system."
Head of psychology, Dr John Rack told Education Today: "The level of misunderstanding demonstrated in this article (comment.. whatever) is incredible. Dyslexia exists without a shadow of a doubt. We also know that dyslexia does not cause crime, but literacy difficulties combined with social disadvantage can contribute to social exclusion and a higher risk of offending. To claim that all children can learn if given the right teaching also flies in the face of a wealth of scientific evidence: we know that even with Quality First teaching, a high percentage of children still struggle and some of those don't respond well even when given specialist teaching. It is quite right to assert that teaching should be improved - for all - but it is frankly ridiculous to dismiss the fact that, for some, literacy will always be a struggle. Those people do not need the added burden of being told that the reason for their difficulties is because they and their teachers, have not tried hard enough."
[I have a vested interest in this because I'm dyslexic. I'd welcome any readers' comments to consider for publication - Ed]
