A range of resources for parents, carers, and professionals on supporting neurodivergent individuals.
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Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia
Dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and dyslexia are conditions that affect specific cognitive and motor functions, impacting learning and daily activities.
It’s common for people to have more than one specific learning difficulty and co-occurring neurodivergent conditions such as autism, or ADHD.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects the ability to read, spell, and decode words. It is often linked to difficulties in processing sounds and language.
According to the British Dyslexia Association, anxiety disorders in young people were reported to be three to four times more common among those with dyslexia compared to their peers in the same year group.
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia, also known as developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), is a disorder of co-ordination and movement leading to challenges in everyday tasks. It affects complex muscle activities such as writing, balance, spatial awareness, ball skills, and dressing.
A survey by the Dyspraxia Association found that 55% of dyspraxic teenagers were frequently or almost always anxious, rising to 70% among adults over 25.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty that makes it hard to understand and work with numbers, leading to challenges with basic arithmetic, time management, and number sense. People with dyscalculia may find it difficult to solve math problems and grasp numerical concepts.
Dyscalculia may make it harder to do even simple math-related tasks like paying bills and following cooking recipes.
According to research, those with dyscalculia often face anxiety, frustration, and low self-esteem, which can spill over into other areas of their life.
10%
of the UK population is affected by Dyslexia
6%
of the UK population is affected by Dyscalculia
10%
of the UK population are affected by Dyspraxia
46%
increased risk of suicide for people with specific learning disorders
Real stories
Richard Branson, entrepreneur
Richard has spoken openly about living with dyslexia and how it shaped his approach to business. He attributes much of his success to the way dyslexia has helped him innovate, take calculated risks, and value people’s unique talents. He is a strong advocate for supporting children with learning differences and creating opportunities for diverse thinkers.
“As a dyslexic myself, I know that everyone living with dyslexia can also thrive with it. It has been such a positive force in my life. Dyslexia is just a different way of seeing the world, a different way of processing information, and a different way of coming up with great ideas.”
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Jamie Oliver, chef, writer, TV presenter
Jamie was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult. When he was younger, he was called “slow” and felt worthless and dreaded reading and writing.
Jamie says dyslexia is not a deficit but a different, often advantageous, way of thinking. Jamie has had over 20 TV cookery shows and produced 35 cookbooks. He firmly believes his dyslexia is a huge part of his success, as he is so creative and has a unique way of problem-solving. He believes we need an education system that celebrates diverse thinking and empowers all children to unlock their full potential.
Jamie has produced a documentary on dyslexia called Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution.
Daniel Radcliffe, actor
Daniel has been open about his struggles with dyspraxia and how this affected his self-esteem. “I had a hard time at school, I was bad at everything, with no obvious talent”.
Daniel became a global star when he took the role of Harry Potter at the age of twelve and has appeared in over 40 movies and TV shows. He learned to manage these struggles through physical training and support, and he is now an advocate for others with dyspraxia by raising awareness.
“Do not let it stop you. It has never held me back. The fact that some things are more of a struggle will only make you more determined, harder working and more imaginative in the solutions you find to problems.”
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Cara Delevingne, model, actress
Cara has spoken openly about the anxiety and depression she experienced from feeling “different” due to dyspraxia. Struggling with coordination and finding exams especially challenging, she has worked through these difficulties using therapies like art, music, and CBT.
Today, Cara encourages others to embrace their differences and recognise their unique strengths.
Florence Welch, singer, songwriter
Florence was diagnosed with dyscalculia, dyslexia, and dyspraxia as a young girl. She has spoken openly about how dyscalculia shaped the way she approaches numbers and patterns in her daily life and creative work.
“Maths was always a challenge, so I learned the patterns of the questions rather than relying on the numbers themselves. My thoughts aren’t especially logical or linear – but that’s okay, because they take me to more interesting places. Not thinking like everyone else can be positive and beneficial.”
Florence believes that embracing neurodiversity, including dyscalculia, is key to creativity and success, and advocates for environments where everyone can work as their true selves.
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Robbie Williams, singer, songwriter
Robbie has spoken openly about living with dyscalculia, ADHD, dyslexia, and the mental health challenges that often accompany them, including severe anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Despite these difficulties, he has developed strategies to manage numbers and tasks and to navigate his career successfully.
“I’m surrounded by incredibly successful people, and most of them are like you and me. What we lack has given us a superpower…go find yours.”
Robbie encourages embracing learning differences and mental health challenges as part of one’s unique strengths, showing that they do not limit creativity or achievement.
TED Talk - The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind
Dean Bragonier is the founder of NoticeAbility, a US-based organisation dedicated to helping young people overcome barriers with dyslexia. In this TED Talk, he explores the strengths of the dyslexic mind and reframes perceived weaknesses as powerful tools.
Are you struggling or supporting someone?
Daily challenges may be compounded by misunderstandings or a lack of accommodations in work or school environments. The impact on self-worth and feelings of inadequacy can lead to a heightened risk of depression and anxiety. It is important to acknowledge that these conditions do not define a person’s value or potential, but the cumulative stress of living without proper support can contribute to negative health outcomes.
Understanding the challenges these conditions present, alongside emotional and social support, can help mitigate these risks. Providing the right interventions, such as personalised learning strategies, emotional counselling, and fostering supportive environments can reduce the impact on mental well-being.
If you, or someone you know, is affected by dyscalculia, dyspraxia or dyslexia, you can find information, advice and support through the organisations listed below.
Stay Alive app
Download our NHS-recommended app if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are concerned about someone. There are over 800 resources to help you stay safe for now.
Contact your GP
They will help you get support from the right services and will sometimes take appointments over the phone.
- Find your GP contact details
- If your GP practice is closed or unavailable, call NHS 111
- Visit the NHS 111 website
British Dyslexia Association
Offering a range of resources, support services, and advocacy to help individuals with dyslexia.
- Call 0333 405 4555
- Visit the website
Dyspraxia UK
Providing information, practical advice, and a supportive community for individuals affected by dyspraxia.
- Call 01223 967897
- Visit the website
Dyscalculia Network
Resources, support, and awareness initiatives to assist those with dyscalculia in understanding and managing the condition.
The ADHD Foundation
Expert-led training for professionals offering practical strategies across a wide range of subjects and many areas of neurodiversity.
Enhanced Safety Plan
Our Enhanced Suicide Safety Plan and Communication Toolkit are designed to be completed when you’re feeling stable, so you have a clear, supportive resource to refer to in times of crisis. This tool includes emergency contacts, helpful prompts, and practical steps to guide you through difficult moments, offering a sense of safety and control. By filling out the plan in advance, you can feel more prepared and confident in reaching out for support when needed.
Find advice and sources of support for other neurotypes.
Learn more about how to have a conversation with someone at risk of suicide.
Resources
10% of the UK population is affected by Dyslexia – British Dyslexia Association
6% of the UK population is affected by Dyscalculia – British Dyslexia Association
10% of the UK population is affected by Dyspraxia – Meachon, Emily. “An investigation of dyspraxia: what we know and why the research is so far behind.” Available at Researchgate (2017): 47-52.
46% increased risk of suicide for people with specific learning disorders – Fuller-Thomson E, Carroll SZ, Yang W. Suicide Attempts Among Individuals With Specific Learning Disorders: An Underrecognized Issue. J Learn Disabil. 2018 May/Jun;51(3):283-292. doi: 10.1177/0022219417714776. Epub 2017 Jun 21. PMID: 28635417.