A new report by Dyslexia Scotland reveals the stark inequalities young people and adults with dyslexia face, and the reasons to be optimistic about the potential for a dyslexia-friendly Scotland.
Identifying dyslexia in childhood could prevent mental health difficulties in later life, a new report finds. The research highlights inequities for Scotland’s dyslexic population.
Dyslexia Scotland and the University of Glasgow published a report on the experiences of people with dyslexia in Scotland to understand the barriers that this population faces.
The charity carried out an in-depth national survey of over 1400 adults to capture a baseline for building a dyslexia-friendly Scotland.
The survey revealed that people with dyslexia report higher levels of depression and anxiety than the general population. This is thought to be a result of academic struggles, social stigma, bullying and the continuous effort to manage dyslexia in daily life.
Those who had received a professional identification reported a more positive impact on their career and education.
Findings also reveal that people identified with dyslexia during their education years reported lower rates of anxiety and depression compared to those identified as adults.
The detailed report highlights that there are no free dyslexia assessment services in Scotland for adults or young people aged 16 to 18 years not in education. Currently, the only available option is to pay for an independent professional assessment which can cost from £300.