With more than one million young people in the UK currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), new British Dyslexia Association research finds late diagnosis and poor support at school are pushing dyslexic young people out of education, training and work.

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School is not preparing dyslexic young people for adult life:

• Only 1 in 3 dyslexic young people were diagnosed at primary school.
• 54% said teachers did not have enough understanding of dyslexia.
• 70% said school had limited their education, training and career opportunities.

The impact goes beyond the classroom:

• 79% said dyslexia had reduced their confidence, and 76% said it had negatively affected their self-esteem and mental health.
• 87% said the job application process disadvantages dyslexic people.
• 77% worried about disclosing dyslexia to an employer.

Among those who identified as NEET, 89% said their school experience limited their future opportunities, and just 6% felt school had prepared them well for the workplace.

The BDA is calling for

• Early screening and a national pathway for dyslexia diagnosis.
• A fast track to identification and support for young people diagnosed later in school or in post 16 education.
• Teacher training to strengthen support in schools and post 16 settings.
• Alternative assessment methods for GCSEs and A levels.
• Specialist careers advice that understands the challenges of dyslexia.

About the research
The report was produced by the British Dyslexia Association in partnership with M·E·L Research. It combines a survey of 257 dyslexic young people aged 16 to 24 in England with in depth interviews with ten dyslexic young people aged 18 to 24 who are all NEET.