Find out more about different conditions

Within the UK, ADHD is sometimes referred to as Hyperkinetic Disorder. ADHD affects about 3-5% of children and 2% of adults and is more common in males than females (4:1).

It is estimated that around 700,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis of autism. One in 100 children (1%) in the UK have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is the term that replaced Specific Language Impairment (SLI). Developmental Language Disorder is diagnosed when children fail to acquire their own language for no obvious reason. This results in children who have difficulty understanding what people say to them, and struggle to articulate their ideas and feelings.

According to the British Dyslexia Association, the number of individuals with dyslexia in the UK is around 10%, with 4% of population at the severe end of the dyslexia continuum.

Dyspraxia, a form of developmental coordination disorder affects gross and fine motor coordination in around 5% of the population (2%, severely). It also affects organisation, planning and time management, and can also affect speech. Males are up to three times more likely to be affected than females.

It is estimated that 10-15% of children have sensory needs. A child with SPD may have reactions which can be difficult to understand and explain. Their body is automatically reacting to what is around them by being in a ‘fight or flight’ mode, and this can be wrongly interpreted as bad behaviour.

The most recent survey of the mental health of children and young people in England found that 12.5% of 5 to 19 year olds had at least one mental disorder when assessed (2017), and 5% met the criteria for 2 or more mental disorders.