Page 39 - Issue 112 May-June 2021

Dyslexia Dyslexia and prejudice We’re systematically stigmatizing dyslexia, writes Roger Broadbent Stigma and prejudice Not effectively evaluating the prevalence of dyslexia has left our education system in a perpetual state of trauma, and is a significant factor in explaining why nearly 50% of teachers leave the profession within 5 years of qualifying. They enter schools where, for a whole host of reasons, the pupils are not diagnosed or supported for their dyslexia. This is evidenced by 80% of dyslexic children who leave education without a diagnosis (Source: British Dyslexia Association). This situation leads to discrimination against the 20% of pupils who are dyslexic, through no fault of their own. This is where the problem lies, not with the individuals with the difference, but rather those who refuse to recognise the condition. As Albert Einstein said, “Everyone is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Pupils with dyslexia find many educational tasks difficult for various reasons like issues with information processing, short term memory, being disorganized, and needing new information to be recapped, etc. Where a diagnosis has been carried out and an individual learning plan has been made (EHCP) then the pupil with dyslexia can thrive. “80% of dyslexic children leave school without a diagnosis” The repeated under-recognition of the scale of dyslexia, and its consequent under-resourcing, has led to a strategic shortfall in provision; allowing for the ideal conditions to perfectly propagate stigma and prejudice against dyslexia. Unfortunately, this result is costing so much for the dyslexic individual and the broader society. The personal consequences of stigma The politicisation of education most recently by Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings has done nothing to improve the educational landscape for dyslexic learners. In fact the present antiquated 3 R’s approach has added further barriers senmagazine.co.uk SEN112 39