What Predicts the Dyslexia Label? Investigating the Socio-Demographic Predictors of Dyslexia in England and Wales

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  In Roundtable Session: Placement and Disproportionality in Special Education

Abstract

The prevalence of dyslexia identification has increased over the last two decades. Yet there is debate over whether there are distinct biological and cognitive differences between those with literacy difficulties and those identified as dyslexic. Using data from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study, this paper examines the socio-demographic factors that predict whether a child’s teacher identifies them as dyslexic at age 11. Gender, season of birth, socio-economic class and parental income are found to be significant predictors of the dyslexia label. This suggests that the label may not be evenly distributed across a population. The results from this national-scale study thus question the reliability, validity and moral integrity of the allocation of the dyslexia label in the UK.

Authors

• Cathryn Knight, Swansea University

• Tom Crick, Swansea University