News
Dyslexic children are systematically let down by local authorities
17/03/08
Many children are failing at school because they are unaware of being dyslexic. But until the Government forces local authorities to carry out psychological assessments on those who struggle, the problem will get worse.
That is the view of an expert in dyslexia, Dr Neville Brown, who is the Principal and founder of Maple Hayes School in Lichfield, Staffordshire – which specialises in helping dyslexic children.
He spends more and more of his time helping parents to get an assessment of their child, so they can get more of the help they need.
Today’s study, by the University of Hull, is the first to firmly identify dyslexia as a major cause of underachievement in primary schools.
Dr Brown said every child who showed signs of reading or writing difficulties should be assessed at primary school.
“Most children are not being assessed, in fact there is a culture of refusing to assess by LEAs across the country,” he said.
“I think it is a combination of LEAs not wanting to raise the problem and a money thing, because every psychologist’s assessment impacts on the LEA’s budget.”
He added: “Each week I spend two or more days advising desperate parents who know that their child is failing, but face the refusal of the school to refer him or her for assessment. The demands on my time have escalated, as has the problem.
“The overall problem lies with local authorities, but until the Government steps in to force LEAs to carry out assessments, the problem of undiagnosed dyslexic children failing will continue and will get worse.
Dr Brown, who has helped hundreds of dyslexic children to succeed at Maple Hayes School since he set it up 25 years ago, added: “Parents are being misled, but if they are worried about their child’s progress at school, they should insist on their child being referred for assessment.”
For more information please contact Clive Reeves on 01543 501111 or email clive@wardlovett.com