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In the aftermath of a recent radio discussion, Ben Goldacre reported that the “barefaced cheek of [certain] characters will never cease to amaze and delight me.” We were amazed – albeit not entirely delighted – to see a striking example of Wynford Dore’s chutzpah: the 2008 edition of his book
is titled “Dyslexia and ADHD The Miracle Cure” [sic] (it was previously ‘just’ called “Dyslexia: The Miracle Cure). There was not good evidence that Dore offers a miracle for dyslexia (or any learning difficulty) – a fact that has been repeatedly, and forcibly, pointed out – but that did not stop Dore from extending the claims for his ‘miracle cure’ to cover ADHD as well. Given that Dore himself states that “dyslexia is not a “disease” and, therefore, cannot be ‘cured’”, it is surprising that the title of his book changed to include ‘ADHD’ but not to exclude the misleading reference to a ‘miracle cure’.
BPSDB
Genuinely amazing, though not in a good way.
5 Comments
January 6, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I wonder why Dore feels the need to reissue his book with additional content? What is their uptake of new clients in these times of financial stress?
January 7, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I notice that chapter 9. is ‘How the media helped’ – perhaps the only accurate section of the book?
January 7, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Susan – why, yes. The various media have much to reflect upon now there is effective acknowledgement of their role in promoting Dore.
January 7, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Perhaps Dore should read Prof. Diane McGuinness’ chapter in Fisher and Greenberg’s ‘The Limits of Biological Treatments for Psychological Distress’, where she refers to ADHD as “the emperor’s new clothes.”
She observes, “It is currently fashionable to treat approximately one third of all elementary school boys as an abnormal population because they are fidgety, inattentive, and unamenable to adult control.” She concludes, however, that “two decades of research have not provided any support for the validity of ADD” or hyperactivity. Neither clinical studies nor psychological testing has been able to identify such a group. The problem, according to McGuinness, is how to get professionals to give up such a vested interest in the use of this powerful label”.
January 25, 2009 at 10:54 am
Just because you are a very successful business person doesn’ mean that you are equally savvy in all other areas. But I’m sad to see this as I had hoped for so much more from Wynford Dore – I thought he cared about the children he claims to be helping.