Late diagnosis of dyslexia and poor support at school are pushing dyslexic young people out of education, training and work, new research from the British Dyslexia Association finds.
 
The report, supported by Ryman, identifies a chain reaction: late or missed diagnosis leads to poor support in school, driving disengagement and lower attainment. This damages confidence, narrows the routes into further education, training and employment, and leaves many young people at greater risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).
 
The report finds that only one in three dyslexic young people were diagnosed at primary school.

Meanwhile 54% said that teachers did not have enough understanding of dyslexia, and only 53% of young people received career advice in school. 

70% said school had limited the education, training and career opportunities available to them.
 
The impact goes beyond the classroom. 79% said dyslexia had reduced their confidence; 76% said it had negatively affected their self-esteem and mental health.
 
For those identifying as NEET, 89% said their school experience limited their future opportunities. Just 6% of NEET respondents say school prepared them well for the workplace and none felt well prepared for getting a job.
 
The BDA is calling for early screening and a national pathway for dyslexia diagnosis and a fast track to identification and support for young people diagnosed later in school or in post-16 education.

They also call for teacher training to strengthen support in schools and post-16 settings and for alternative assessment methods for GCSEs and A Levels.

Specialist careers advice that understands the challenges of dyslexia should also be put in place.

Theo Paphitis, Vice President of the British Dyslexia Association, said: “This report shines a light on a group of young people who are too often overlooked. Too many dyslexic young people leave education and then lose their way, falling into the gap between school, further education, training and work. We do not even know how many NEET young people are dyslexic. Many will never have been identified. If we are serious about tackling the NEET crisis, dyslexia cannot be left out of the conversation.”