Sign the petition today and join our campaign to help every child receive the support they need.
Monday 5 October 2020
10 - 15% of people are dyslexic. This means there are around one million young people in education with dyslexia and up to 10 million people across the UK.
Despite this, 80% of people with dyslexia leave school without a diagnosis or receiving the support they need to succeed.
It is extremely unlikely for schools to fund dyslexia assessments, and
many families cannot afford to pay up to £700 for a private diagnosis.
There has never been a more important time to highlight the need for specialist support in schools. That is why the
British Dyslexia Association is calling on the government to ensure
there is funding for diagnostic assessments and targeted support in
schools. Providing the opportunity for assessment as well as the right level of expertise in every school will lead to:
- An increase in early identification and diagnosis
- Appropriate levels of support for students throughout their education
- Students reaching their full potential
Impact of school closures
The Covid-19 lockdown has created greater inequality in educational
support and achievement for children with dyslexia, with teachers
expressing their concerns that Special Educational Needs students will
be most impacted on a long-term basis by the school closures.
School closures and minimal staff contact time have led to even lower rates of diagnosis, and parents having to try and support their children from home without specialist training and expertise. A study by the British Dyslexia Association found that 95% of parents do not feel they have sufficient skills or knowledge to support their dyslexic child at home.
Nick Posford, British Dyslexia Association’s CEO says:
“This week we are shining a light on what dyslexia creates. It can create brilliantly creative minds that look at the world differently, giving us many artists, entrepreneurs and academics. But we know that it also creates a significant amount of challenges. 80 percent of people with dyslexia leave school without a diagnosis, which is simply unacceptable. For some, the only option is private screening which can be extremely costly. We need the government to do more, and that is why we’re asking the British public to join our campaign.”
Mollie King, British Dyslexia Association Ambassador, TV & radio presenter and singer
“Dyslexia creates many challenges, but it has also had a hugely positive impact on my life. I was fortunate enough to be diagnosed at the age of 8, and was given the support I needed from a young age. That’s why I’m supporting the British Dyslexia Association in their campaign to increase assessment, diagnosis and support in schools. Without this, so many children are left to face these challenges alone, and 80 percent of pupils leave school without a diagnosis. We can and must do better.”