Time to ditch term dyslexia say experts

Educational experts from Durham and Yale universities argue that resources are wasted by putting young people who are struggling to read through diagnostic tests, because the label lacks meaning.

But their views have been challenged by the charity Dyslexia Action, which says the term still has meaning and should not be dropped.

In the book The Dyslexia Debate, Prof Julian Elliott, a former teacher of children with learning difficulties, said more focus should be put on helping children to read, rather than finding a label for their difficulty.

The Durham University academic said: “Parents are being woefully misled about the value of a dyslexia diagnosis.” He also said the diagnosis could be undermining and distressing for children.