A HIGH-PROFILE but controversial treatment for dyslexia has been severely criticised by experts who believe it is based on flawed research and undermined by potential conflicts of interest.

The Dore programme claims to be able to transform the reading and writing skills of children with dyslexia with simple physical exercises such as threading beads, standing on “wobble boards” and catching bean bags.

It is also said to help attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyspraxia — the symptoms of which include poor co-ordination and a tendency to trip easily.

The row over the technique has been brought to a head by the resignation of five board members of a scientific journal that published a highly favourable study of the programme. They include some of Britain’s most eminent scientists in learning difficulties.

They were concerned over the rigour of the study and the close links of those behind it with Wynford Dore, a businessman who made a fortune from fire- resistant paint before moving into dyslexia treatment.

The author of the study in the journal Dyslexia was paid £30,000 for carrying out the research by Dore, who has also sponsored PhD students taught by the co-author.

Uta Frith, professor of cognitive development at University College London and one of those who resigned, said: “People stand to make a lot of money on the basis of research that appears in journals so it is important the studies are scientific in their approach. I don’t feel this was the case.”

The treatment has been used by nearly 20,000 children at a cost of up to £1,700 each and has been featured on television shows such as Tonight with Trevor McDonald and Richard and Judy.

Both programmes were reprimanded by the Independent Television Commission, which found the claims outlined were “not sustainable”.

Dore’s is one of a number of unusual approaches to dyslexia — which may affect about 6m people in Britain — ranging from eating fish oil to flashing lights.

The condition has been particularly prone to unusual ideas for therapy because of the uncertainty surrounding its causes and the best way to treat it. Of those affected, about 2.4m suffer a severe form of the condition.

Dore devoted himself to finding a cure for the condition and set up a charitable foundation to promote the treatment after his daughter Susie, now 34, attempted suicide three times because she was so depressed at being dyslexic.

There are now 11 Dore treatment centres in Britain, with others in Australia and America.

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