Fair point although I suspect I'm a little more cynical when is comes to
social equality.

However, what I was really driving at in my original posting (albeit
somewhat obscurely) was that if similarities can be seen between the two
disabilities (and I'm referring to the way in which they are treated
under DSA), can anything we've learnt from the support of one be applied
to the other. Many awards officers are still somewhat dubious about the
level of support given to students with dyslexia and I can see the early
signs of a similar trend developing with CFS. Many of the issues
regarding medical evidence can be applied to both disabilities. Lack of
resources when it comes to needs assessments is largely due to the huge
increase in dyslexic students applying for assistance - a similar rise in
students diagnosed with CFS could bring the entire process grinding to a
halt. If such a rise were to occur, is funding under DSA in the long term
in jeopardy?

I just thought it might be worth addressing these issues before the horse
bolts.

St.John Skeates
Awards Section
Bedfordshire County Council
Direct Line 01234 718744




 -----Original Message-----
From: BRYAN JONES [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 2:52 PM
To: Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm
Subject: RE: Time for a little controversy




Well I haven't heard tales of wealthier families getting a dubious
diagnosis from a tame Ed Psych ( although there are certainly
some dodgy assessment reports that float past our eyes, but that's
not the point), as objective testing and the scores produced are
made available to LEAs and Assessors, or certainly should be,
independant third parties should be able to varify the conclusions.
CFS or ME has long been debated as to what is the root cause but
nevertheless, the symptoms of CFS are clearly real in how they
manifests themselves to the person concerned. Whether that is
the consequence of a depressive illness or some as yet to be
identified physiological condition is not really that relevant. I see
students from all sorts of backgounds with the CFS tag it isn't a
class thing. Patients, from what everbackground, persist with their
doctor until they get a diagnosis and treatment / advice that they
are satisfied with.

On 30 Jan 03, at 14:24, Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm wrote:

> Social prejudice? Shame on you Bryan!
>
> When it comes to socio-economic factors in diagnosis, we have all
> heard tales of wealthier families making use of private Ed Psych's
> to diagnose dyslexia where little evidence has been found
> previously. Additionally you might expect the children of such
> groups to attend those schools with the resources for early
> diagnosis and support. It would be interesting to see if CFS is more
> likely to be diagnosed by a private doctor or through the NHS...
>
> St.John Skeates
> Awards Section
> Bedfordshire County Council
> Direct Line 01234 718744
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BRYAN JONES [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 1:30 PM
> To: Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm
> Subject: RE: Time for a little controversy
>
>
>
>
> Ahh, I missed your subtle PS after your signature of your initial
> email, always a good idea to do that. In answer to you question there
> CFS is not the new dyslexia in the same way as it is not the new
> black. Dyslexia can be diagnosed using object psychometric testing,
> CFS cannot. As to the middle classes, that fine socio ecomonic group
> to which I can only aspire, perhaps CFS is identied in this group a
> lot because the students parents take in interest in their offspring
> and don't spend all their time in the Bookies or at Bingo. (I have
> good tip for the 2.45 at Chepstow if anyone is interested.)
>
> On 30 Jan 03, at 13:06, Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards T wrote:
>
> > I'm sorry - at which point did I dispute the existence of either
> > disability? I merely suggested that diagnoses could be difficult and
> > controversial in both cases. Are you suggesting the opposite - that
> > diagnosing Dyslexia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is easy and never
> > arouses any controversy? Or is your mind so closed that rather
> > than contribute in a positive manner, you prefer to resort to
> > sarcasm and misrepresenting my words?
> >
> > St.John Skeates
> > Awards Section
> > Bedfordshire County Council
> > Direct Line 01234 718744
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: BRYAN JONES [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 12:28 PM
> > To: Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm; Discussion list for disabled
> > students and their support staff. Subject: Re: Time for a little
> > controversy
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Are asking because, as an expert in psychology you dispute the
> > existence of dyslexia, as in addition your medical background
> > leads you to doubt that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has any
> > physical manifestations?
> >
> > On 30 Jan 03, at 11:12, Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards T wrote:
> >
> > > Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome set to become the 'new' Dyslexia?
> > >
> > > Discuss
> > >
> > > St.John Skeates
> > > Awards Section
> > > Bedfordshire County Council
> > > Direct Line 01234 718744
> > >
> > > Addendum
> > >
> > > Thinking (though not necessarily advocating) along the lines of:
> > >
> > > Increasing number of cases
> > > Difficulty/controversy regarding diagnosis
> > > High level of IT support recommended
> > > Impact of disability focussed on study rather than everyday life
> > > "Fashionable" among certain socio-economic groups Perceived as a
> > > middle class disability
> > >
> > > ******************************************************************
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> >
> > Bryan Jones
> > Disability Support Services Manager
> > Tel: 020 8411 5367
> >
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> Bryan Jones
> Disability Support Services Manager
> Tel: 020 8411 5367
>
> *********************************************************************
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> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
> are addressed.
>
> If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please advise the sender
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Bryan Jones
Disability Support Services Manager
Tel: 020 8411 5367

*********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
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are addressed.

If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please advise the sender immediately
by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.
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