Shaping UK Research Priorities in the Area of Specific Learning Difficulties by Surveying People with Lived Experience

The specific learning difficulties (SpLD) network (SLDN) was established in 2022 to bring together UK researchers and stakeholders interested in SpLDs to better integrate research across different areas and to agree on research priorities. It was vital to include the views and experiences of people (and carers of children and young people) with SpLDs (here defined as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia) as part of the research priority-setting process. In this study, we analysed data from 145 participants (82 carers of a child or young person with an SpLD and 63 adults with an SpLD) from the UK (primary difficulty: 119 dyslexia, 14 dyscalculia, and 12 dysgraphia) on various issues around identification, labelling, support, mental health, and research priorities. Here, we present descriptive statistics separately for each SpLD where sample sizes permit. While not a population-representative survey, some key findings include: the high number of co-occurring SpLDs, high co-occurrence with other developmental traits, and high prevalence of mental health issues. Key priorities were around earlier identification and best ways to support SpLDs, and additionally, for dyscalculia, around increasing awareness. Suggestions for the next steps in the research priority-setting process include research based on co-production with people with lived experience of SpLD.