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Author(s): |
Larry Silver M.D. |
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Reprinted with Permission From: |
Learning Disabilites Association of America (info) |
Printed Date: September 2003
Date Posted on this Website: January 16 2004
The special education-related intervention approaches for helping children with learning disabilities can be very successful, especially if the problems are identified early. However, these approaches take time and work, often over many years. As the child moves ahead in school, additional interventions may be needed for the higher level skills required in middle and high school. Thus, if someone offers a quick and complete cure for learning disabilities, every parent is interested. It is often difficult for parents to decide if the approach being offered is based on scientific data with confirmation from the field of researchers or if the approach is a quick cure with no scientific basis.
There have been many controversial therapies proposed over the years, from patterning of motor behaviors to vitamins, trace elements, special foods, special herbs, and specific types of biofeedback. Other controversial models have been suggested for addressing central auditory-processing problems. (These were recently reviewed in the International Dyslexia Association publication, Perspectives, Summer,2001.)
Similar controversial therapies have been proposed in medicine to cure cancer and other serious diseases. Those who study these controversial therapies describe several basic characteristics. The claim is broad and curative. Little or no documented research is presented. Often, the statements read, As research has shown ..., yet no research is provided. Or, research is mentioned but no specific literature references are provided. No specific findings of this proposed research are provided. The parent is left wondering, Is this the work of a genius or an ambitious individual who wants to advertise a cure before the data are in?
Recently, advertisement literature and related web sites have announced the opening of the Dore Achievement Centers. These centers have existed for awhile in the United Kingdom and are now opening throughout the United States. The literature provided explains that learning disabilities are due to Cerebellar Developmental Delay. A condition in which, the Cerebellum is under-developed and therefore is not able to process the information of the 'thinking brain' quickly enough. The literature goes on to say, by testing cerebellar function, Dore has found that those affected by learning disorders exhibit ... Cerebellar Development Delay. Exercises incorporated in the Dore program are designed to stimulate the cerebellum to function more rapidly. The result is improved motor and cognitive skills. No data are provided on how cerebellar function is measured nor how improvement is measured.
There have been studies on cerebellar functioning as it relates to learning and attention. The results are unclear. Thus, I was curious to learn more about this concept and proposed treatment approach. The only source of information is their web site. After describing the concepts quoted above, one is referred to their Medical Independent Research part of the site. I went to this site and learned that A major research program is being mounted to measure the possible effectiveness of the novel treatment ... Nothing is published.
There is no discussion of how cerebellar function or dysfunction is assessed, how the proposed intervention impacts on the proposed dysfunction, or how outcome is measured immediately and over time. We are told that the research has been accepted by a Journal. No reference is made to the many years of research on cerebellar or cerebellar-vestibular functioning and learning disabilities nor of the lack of conclusions that there are any specific relationships.
In my books and publications on controversial therapies, I define these proposed models of treatment as controversial if: (1) There is no research to support the proposed treatment; (2) The treatment approach is being commercially pushed before the research shows any support for the proposed treatment; or, (3) There is clear research evidence showing that the approach does not work; yet the approach is still advertised commercially.
The Dore approach to treating learning disabilities is, by my standards, to be considered a controversial therapy. I encourage parents to learn more than the information in their fact sheets and advertisements. Ask questions about the theory and treatment approach being proposed. This intervention is expensive and takes time. The buyer must beware. Learn before you spend your money and put your child through the program.
