1 in 5 people suffer from dyslexia. About 70 to 85% of children who are placed in special education for learning disabilities are dyslexic.

6.3 million people (around 10% of the UK population) have dyslexia and 1 in 6 adults has the reading level of an 11-year-old.

Despite this, 80% of children 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 and a further cost of private dyslexia tuition. 

It's a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing. Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn't affected. 

Dyslexia can’t be “cured”—it is lifelong but with early screening, early diagnosis, early evidence-based reading intervention and appropriate accommodations these children can successfully learn and excel in education. 

Dyslexia falls under the definition of a Special Educational Need defined under the Childrens and Families Act 2014 as where the child has as a learning difficulty or disability calls for special educational provision to be made.

Learning in school with dyslexia massively effects a child’s self esteem & mental health so to deny dyslexia as a condition is an outrage.

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.

There has never been a more important time to highlight the need for specialist support in schools, every child deserves the right to an education, not to struggle because of an condition that is not allowing them succeed to the highest potential. 

I’m calling on the government to ensure there is funding for diagnostic assessments and targeted support in schools. Providing the opportunity for early 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. 

Sign the petition today and join my campaign to help every child receive the support they need against an education system that is still designed with the majority in mind.