ABSTRACT
As mentioned in the introduction there is still relatively little research on the social and emotional consequences of living with dyslexia but there has been a notable increase in the last decade. Interested clinicians and educationalists have consistently pointed to the devastating effects that dyslexia or specific learning disabilities can have on some children’s lives. Concern can be traced from Orton’s early clinical work through both the Bullock (1975) and Warnock (DES 1978) Reports to the recent House of Commons Report (HCESC 2006) on special educational needs. This noted that failure to identify and give appropriate teaching to dyslexic children can lead to significant long-term economic and social difficulties. The large-scale PACFOLD (2007) study came to similar conclusions for children and adults identified as learning disabled in Canada. It should however be stressed that some individuals with dyslexia or LD can be highly successful in the long run and it is important not to assume that dyslexia inevitably leads to poor outcomes.
