A PROFESSOR who caused controversy by questioning the existence of dyslexia says some parents use the term to avoid their children being labelled lazy or stupid.

Professor Julian Elliott, who teaches at Durham University's School of Education and previously raised doubts before whether or not dyslexia is a medical condition, said the label is used by some middle-class parents terrified that their children will be classed as low achievers by their teachers

He told a national newspaper: "After years of working with parents, I have seen how they don't want their child to be considered lazy, thick or stupid.

"If they get called this medically-diagnosed term, dyslexic, then it is a signal to all that it's not to do with intelligence.''

The professor said the symptoms of dyslexia, including clumsiness and letter reversal, are similar to those seen in people who simply cannot read.

Professor Elliott taught in mainstream and special education schools before practising as an local education authority educational psychologist.

Two years ago, he was a contributor to the Channel 4 documentary, The Dyslexia Myth, which cast doubts on the existence of the condition, which is said to afflict millions of people.

The film angered dyslexia campaigners, who argued that the condition affected up to ten per cent of the population and is commonly unrecognised in schools.

Prof Elliott said afterwards that he had been taken aback by the controversy that had been created by the broadcast.

He said that support should be given to all children with reading difficulties, tailored to their individual needs, and that they should not be separated into dyslexic and non-dyslexic groups.

Prof Elliott has also written that "dyslexia persists as a construct largely because it serves an emotional, not a scientific, function.''

But the charity Dyslexia Action has hit back at the professor's latest comments, saying that it is wrong to dispute the existence of the condition.

John Rack, head of research and development with the charity, said: "There is ample evidence that dyslexia exists across the spectrum and the argument that there is no consistent means of identifying it is one cited by people who don't know enough about the subject."