Matt Hancock bill calling for screening of neurodivergent conditions coming to Commons
The West Suffolk MP discovered he was dyslexic once he got to university
Former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, is taking his fight for the universal screening of neurodivergent conditions in primary schools to Parliament today (Tuesday, 23rd April).
The Neurodivergent Conditions (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill will receive its first reading in the House of Commons.
It comes two days after Matt ran the London Marathon for the Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF) - a charitable organisation he set up to help those with neurodivergent conditions, including dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
Speaking after the race, the MP for West Suffolk said: “This bill is an opportunity for MPs to unite behind support for all children.
“I believe early identification is the key to ensuring no neurodivergent child is left behind. The positive impact of promoting early intervention and better teacher training could be immense.”
"1 in 5 children still leave school not knowing that they have dyslexia"
Matt added: “Incredibly, 1 in 5 children still leave school not knowing that they have dyslexia. I was one of those – only discovering I was dyslexic once I got to university.
“My identification was a lightbulb moment. It changed my life and gave me the opportunity to relearn how to read and write. I believe every person deserves access to appropriate identification and support, regardless of their neurodivergent condition or circumstance.
“Only through identification can neurodivergent children get the help and support they not only need but deserve.”
"Silent scandal"
The former Cabinet Minister continued: “According to a London School of Economics report published last November, 15% of children with specific learning difficulties are in the most affluent decile and 6% are in the most deprived. This cannot reflect reality.
“The only explanation is an unjust allocation of early identification tools within the system. There isn’t enough focus on early identification, there isn’t enough funding, and crucially, there is also an inequality in the early identification that leads to diagnosis and the development of education health and care plans (EHCPs).
“This isn't only unfair but a silent scandal that I’m determined to address.”