Splitting diagnoses can slow progress

ARTIFICIALLY SPLITTING conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, Asperger syndrome and attention deficit disorder, could obstruct the development of children with special educational needs, a conference in Dublin has heard.

The Spectrum Alliance – an umbrella network of disability groups – which organised the conference at the weekend, said that the desire to achieve an accurate diagnosis could mean that a child’s unique needs would not be met.

Overlapping of conditions, known as “co-morbidity” was the norm rather than the exception, the alliance said.

Children with dyslexia often have attention deficit disorder; Asperger syndrome, a variant of autism, often occurred with both these conditions; while it was rare that a child would have dyspraxia – traditionally defined as a developmental co-ordination disorder – without having any other disability.

“Co-morbidity can create challenges for accurate diagnosis.

“However, appropriate identification of all the special educational needs of an individual is vital as this enables the implementation of a range of suitable interventions,” Spectrum alliance’s chairwoman Anne Hughes said.

If there is no recognition of “co-morbidity” only part of a child’s academic, social, emotional or behavioural needs are recognised or catered for.

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland, which is part of the alliance, will this week hold a fundraising book-reading by Joseph O’Connor and David McWilliams.

The event – A Novel Idea . . . Authors Read for Dyslexia– hosted by Senator David Norris will be held at the Wood Quay Venue at the Civic Offices, Dublin from 7pm-9pm on Thursday, tickets €15.

All of the funds raised will be used to provide specialist tuition to children and adults with dyslexia from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.