No evidence that an exercise-based treatment programme (DDAT) has specific benefits for children with reading difficulties

Abstract

Reynolds and Nicolson (Dyslexia: An International Journal of Research & Practice, 2007) report follow-up data 12 and 18 months after a period of intervention consisting of an exercise-based treatment programme (Dyslexia Dyspraxia Attention Treatment Programme, DDAT). The findings suggested the treatment had effects on bead threading, balance, rapid naming, semantic fluency and working memory but not on reading or spelling. We argue that the design of the study is flawed, the statistics used to analyse the data are inappropriate, and reiterate other issues raised by ourselves and others in this journal in 2003. Current evidence provides no support for the claim that DDAT is effective in improving children's literacy skills.