In 1917 Hinshelwood stated that it was important to recognise that children suffered from literacy difficulties as they would be " harshly treated" for making mistakes. over 100 years on and teachers still " harshly treat" young people who are dyslexic. its a disgrace -when will they ever learn?

louise, scotland ,

Peter Cressall
If having a learning disability is just a euphemism for being less intelligent then I wonder what all those dyslexics are doing in Mensa.
If you actually bothered to look into dyslexia before judging us all you would know that it doesn't affect intelligence!

Annie, Shropshire, UK

There is a very difficult challenge to determine how far extra assistance should extend. Is it right for a law student to receive extra time for their professional exams? Does this imply that once a lawyer they should only charge a client for three-quarters of hours worked?

Al, London,

I am Dyslexic, and franky I'm disgusted by the level of ignorance of Mr Stringer & what several pepole have said on this blog. I manged to get a 2:2 at Uni. They must learn about Dyslexia Oh and by the way, the way I was taught to read at school sucked The Wonderful dyslexic institute help me to read

Jim, Melbourne, Australia

There is a huge amount of evidence from genetics and neurology that dyslexia is a genuine condition that occurs regardless of IQ. Look at the range of evidence in Brain, Behavior and Learning in Language and Reading Disorders, like "Dyslexia:A New Look at Neural Substrates". Denial shows ignorance.

Elizabeth , Portland, USA

My daughter has moderate dyslexia & is by no means a budding criminal in the making! This comment from an arrogant, outdated MP has outraged me and no doubt countless other parents of dyslexic children. There must be a hidden aganda somewhere for him to make an offensive comment like this.

Jayne Landers, Manchester, England

Learning difficulties, backwardness, what other euphemisms will the experts invent to explain that some children are, well, not as intelligent as others. And some are very much less intelligent. However poor the raw material, it can nevertheless beimproved with adequate training, not with euphemisms

Peter Cressall, La Lucila, Argentina

A Labour MP said it so everything must be UK then!

Mick Reilly, Doncaster,

Their is no douting that dyslexia is a terruble afflixtion but unfortunately some parents do take advantage of this to get their kids a better education or to use it at dinner partys as an excuse instaed of just admitting that litle Johnny is just a bit of a thicky.

Kenny, Worcester, England

90% of these kids are not dyslexic enough to deserve benefits. I only finished school a year ago and I remember half my class recieved extra time and I do not think its fair.

Thomas P, Kent, united kingdom

'Dyslexia' is often used to describe people who were never taught to read/ write properly. However there are some who through no fault of their own don't have the right nerve link-ups that enable the brain to read easily. The two need to be split better by the educational psychologists.

Kirsty, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire

The primary school my childen went to constantly tried to get children recognised as special needs, simply to raise funds. I doubt this is an isolated case.

greg, Wigan, England

i think this is absolutely awful! i have dyslexia and yet with help and a lot of hard work i am now in the 3rd year of my honours degree in business management and expected to do well. Mr Stringers comments are an insult to all those of us who work blooming hard to over come this!

Natalie, wymondham, uk

A special needs teacher explained to me the scam of paying a psychologist to certify dyslexia in order to get private school fees paid by the taxpayer.

Jon , manchester,

I agree dyslexia an crime are not linked what nonsense ...

I am dyslexia the only problems I have are with spelling which does not effect any thing but the way I write and read.

katy, London,

Why are you correct and all of the scientists that have studied dyslexia for over 30 years are wrong. Only a Psychologist can identify someone as dyslexic so I guess Psychologists are all wrong too! MMR scans are wrong its just middle class parents making things up! Do some research into the topic

Mel , Dumbarton , UK

It's also a sad fact that it has become fashionable in certain classes to have a dyslexic child.

Simon, London, UK

I am predicted to atain 3 A's at A2 in History, Geography and Business (and am on track to do so after A's at AS ). I am also dyslexic the accusation that i am "illiterate" as a result of poor education is insulting to the people who have helped me improve, the effort i have put in and me personnaly

John Taylor, Durham, England

I agree with him.
It's the same with Attention Deficit Disorder. Give them a crack round the ear'ole and they're cured.
No Ritalin needed

Phill , Cheshire, UK

Whilst I believe dyslexia is a genuine problem for some individuals, it is possible it is used as an excuse to mask other deficiencies, in education and sometimes parenting.

Peter, Cambridge, UK

Some children find things more difficult than others but (mainly) middle-class parents find it more acceptable that their children have a genetic brain disorder. By labeling their children dyslexic they also get them more time in exams and other special help. Teach them properly and they'll learn.

mike, Cambridge, UK

I fear that the dyslexia "industry" serves genuine sufferers poorly. The "benefits" - free laptops, extra time at exams etc, which those diagnosed with dyslexia receive, has led to some abuse, with some students having only marginal issues benefitting. This arouses suspicion even of the genuine.

Ian Niven, Liverpool, UK

If there are now 'millions' of children in Britain with dyslexia perhaps it's time that schools concentrated on teaching the three Rs again.

Patricia Thornton, Veliko Tarnovo,