29/09/2025
Avoiding the Trap: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Difficulties to Spot and Avoid Scams
When your child struggles with learning, it's natural to want answers — and fast. As parents, you can be pushed into the unfamiliar world of educational support, assessments, and interventions. It's a steep learning curve, made more difficult by the overwhelming number of programs, products, and therapies being marketed directly to you — often with lofty promises and eye-watering price tags. This blog offers some practical advice to help you navigate this landscape safely, with evidence-based clarity.
1. Beware of Buzzwords and Miracle Claims
Phrases like “cures dyslexia,” “reprograms the brain,” “guaranteed results,” or “one-size-fits-all solution” should immediately raise a red flag. Dyslexia and learning difficulties are complex, neurodevelopmental conditions — there is no single intervention or quick fix.
What to look for instead: Transparent explanations grounded in known research, realistic claims (e.g., “can improve phonological awareness with consistent practice”), and interventions that acknowledge individual variability.
2. Check for Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Real interventions are backed by research published in peer-reviewed journals. If a program sounds promising, search online databases like Google Scholar or ask a professional (like an educational psychologist or speech-language therapist) to help you evaluate the evidence.
Tip: Testimonials are not evidence. Anyone can post a success story — this doesn’t replace well-conducted studies with control groups and measurable outcomes. If the research has been produced by the company that is selling the support this is a red flag. You would want to check further to see if other researchers have found similar outcomes.
3. Ask: “Is This Based on the Science of Reading?”
For reading difficulties like dyslexia, the most effective interventions are grounded in the Science of Reading — an extensive body of research across psychology, linguistics, and education. These approaches emphasize systematic, explicit teaching of phonics, phonological awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
Programs not aligned with this evidence (such as those heavily based on “visual learning styles” or eye-tracking) often lack scientific support, even if they sound appealing.
4. Watch Out for High Pressure Sales Tactics
If you’re being rushed to sign up, promised huge discounts “if you act today,” or told that you’re missing out on a “limited time opportunity,” pause and reconsider. Urgency and emotion can override your critical thinking.
Take a step back and seek advice from a trusted, neutral professional before deciding.
5. Check the Credentials
Is the provider qualified in education, psychology, or speech and language therapy? Are they registered with a professional body such as the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Be wary of those who use impressive-sounding titles that aren't regulated or don't disclose their training.
6. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…
It probably is. Learning to read, spell, write, and access the curriculum can be a slow and often frustrating process for children with learning difficulties. Effective interventions take time, persistence, and support. Any program promising overnight success or complete transformation should be viewed sceptically.
8. Trust Your Instincts and Ask Questions
You are your child’s best advocate. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions:
What is the evidence that this works?
Is there independent research to support these claims?
What qualifications do the practitioners have?
How is progress measured?
If answers are vague or evasive, that’s a sign to dig deeper — or walk away.
Final Thoughts
There are excellent, evidence-based supports out there for children with dyslexia and learning difficulties — and committed professionals ready to help. But there are also individuals and organizations that see a business opportunity in your worry.
You deserve support that is grounded in science, not salesmanship.
Avoiding the Trap: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Difficulties to Spot and Avoid Scams
When your child struggles with learning, it's natural to want answers — and fast. As parents, you can be pushed into the unfamiliar world of educational support, assessments, and interventions. It's a steep learning curve, made more difficult by the overwhelming number of programs, products, and therapies being marketed directly to you — often with lofty promises and eye-watering price tags. This blog offers some practical advice to help you navigate this landscape safely, with evidence-based clarity.
1. Beware of Buzzwords and Miracle Claims
Phrases like “cures dyslexia,” “reprograms the brain,” “guaranteed results,” or “one-size-fits-all solution” should immediately raise a red flag. Dyslexia and learning difficulties are complex, neurodevelopmental conditions — there is no single intervention or quick fix.
What to look for instead: Transparent explanations grounded in known research, realistic claims (e.g., “can improve phonological awareness with consistent practice”), and interventions that acknowledge individual variability.
2. Check for Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Real interventions are backed by research published in peer-reviewed journals. If a program sounds promising, search online databases like Google Scholar or ask a professional (like an educational psychologist or speech-language therapist) to help you evaluate the evidence.
Tip: Testimonials are not evidence. Anyone can post a success story — this doesn’t replace well-conducted studies with control groups and measurable outcomes. If the research has been produced by the company that is selling the support this is a red flag. You would want to check further to see if other researchers have found similar outcomes.
3. Ask: “Is This Based on the Science of Reading?”
For reading difficulties like dyslexia, the most effective interventions are grounded in the Science of Reading — an extensive body of research across psychology, linguistics, and education. These approaches emphasize systematic, explicit teaching of phonics, phonological awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
Programs not aligned with this evidence (such as those heavily based on “visual learning styles” or eye-tracking) often lack scientific support, even if they sound appealing.
4. Watch Out for High Pressure Sales Tactics
If you’re being rushed to sign up, promised huge discounts “if you act today,” or told that you’re missing out on a “limited time opportunity,” pause and reconsider. Urgency and emotion can override your critical thinking.
Take a step back and seek advice from a trusted, neutral professional before deciding.
5. Check the Credentials
Is the provider qualified in education, psychology, or speech and language therapy? Are they registered with a professional body such as the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Be wary of those who use impressive-sounding titles that aren't regulated or don't disclose their training.
6. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…
It probably is. Learning to read, spell, write, and access the curriculum can be a slow and often frustrating process for children with learning difficulties. Effective interventions take time, persistence, and support. Any program promising overnight success or complete transformation should be viewed sceptically.
8. Trust Your Instincts and Ask Questions
You are your child’s best advocate. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions:
What is the evidence that this works?
Is there independent research to support these claims?
What qualifications do the practitioners have?
How is progress measured?
If answers are vague or evasive, that’s a sign to dig deeper — or walk away.
Final Thoughts
There are excellent, evidence-based supports out there for children with dyslexia and learning difficulties — and committed professionals ready to help. But there are also individuals and organizations that see a business opportunity in your worry.
You deserve support that is grounded in science, not salesmanship.
If you ever feel unsure about a program or intervention, reach out to a qualified educational psychologist, specialist teacher, or speech-language therapist for advice. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone — and you don’t have to fall for promises that are too good to be true.
Need Help?
If you're unsure whether a product or program is right for your child, I offer evidence-informed consultations to help families make confident, informed choices. Contact me at www.edpsych.co.nz.
