'Cure' for dyslexia comes under fire

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'Cure' for dyslexia comes under fire

Heinrichs

December 10, 2006

A CONTROVERSIAL technique marketed as a " cure " for dyslexia and

other children's learning and behavioural problems is being attacked

by medical and educational experts in Australia and Britain.

The Dore program, which is sold for about $4500 a child through 11

Australian centres, including one in Melbourne, uses simple physical

exercises such as throwing a bean bag from hand to hand and standing

on a wobbleboard.

Its founder, British millionaire Wynford Dore, claims the program

has delivered " breakthrough " results for dyslexia sufferers and

assists children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

(ADHD), dyspraxia (poor co-ordination) and Asperger's syndrome, an

autism-like condition.

Local advocates are pushing for the program to be introduced in

schools across Australia.

Its basic theory is that exercises can stimulate the cerebellum, a

part of the brain, opening up new neural pathways that will allow

improvements in learning, attention and behaviour.

Many parents have turned to the program because it does not involve

drugs. But experts say the research on which it is based is flawed

and have raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

The row has reportedly come to a head with the resignation of five

editorial board members of the British scientific journal Dyslexia

over its publication of a highly favourable follow-up study of the

program.

The board members include some of Britain's most eminent specialists

in learning difficulties, including Uta Frith, professor of

cognitive development at University College London, who cast doubt

on the study's scientific veracity.

Melbourne experts in learning difficulties Dr Kerry Hempenstall, of

RMIT University, and Professor Margot Prior, of Melbourne

University, said they doubted the program's claims.

Dr Hempenstall, who runs a reading difficulties clinic, said it

was " an unproven assertion " that learning could be improved by

movement-based therapy.

To date, he said, research showed that effective teaching was the

best treatment.

Professor Prior was sceptical of Dore's claim to help such a broad

range of problems but said there would always be people to take up

such programs.

" The education system is not coping with kids who have reading

difficulties, or have limited intellectual capacity, who are slow

learners, " she said.

" But between intellectual disability and normal functioning, there's

a big pool of kids who are really, really struggling, and there is

nothing for them, unless their parents can buy things.

" Of course, what their parents buy are things like the Dore program. "

The cloud over the Dore program comes just as it seems about to

break into mainstream health and educational practice. Dore is about

to begin a trial in Tasmanian schools of its ACE (Assessment of

Cerebellar Efficiency) test of basic skills and aptitudes.

Dore's national marketing manager, Murray Fay, said: " The bigger

intention is that we will be able to take that program across all

schools in Australia and around the world. "

But Mr Dore, speaking from Britain, said the project had hit a

hurdle because a university that wanted to work with him on the

program also wanted to own the intellectual property.

" I'm not knocking them. It's just that for seven years people have

told me I'm mad. Now they're asking me to hand over all the

intellectual property. "

Negotiations are continuing.

Dore has treated about 30,000 people worldwide, including about 8000

in Australia. In Melbourne, it operates from premises in South Road,

Hampton East. Children attend every seven weeks for an updated set

of exercises.

Since February, Dore has offered a guarantee that if, at the end of

eight follow-ups, there is no positive physiological change, it will

refund its fee.

The man, the mission

WYNFORD Dore, 57, threw his considerable fortune and energy into

finding an alternative treatment for dyslexia after his daughter

Susie's third suicide attempt. She felt unable to cope with her

dyslexia. His guilt about having failed to help her sufficiently, he

says, remains a powerful driver to use the millions he's made from

selling fire-retardant paint to extend his program all over the

world. Susie, now 34, works in the business. Dore is adamant his

system works. " Five years ago, they were telling us we were mad. Now

we've got very good, very clear results, not just the research, but

thousands of excellent anecdotes. It's clear it's working. "