Publication - Research and analysis
Inequalities and challenges experienced by disabled people in Scotland: evidence review
This evidence review synthesises available evidence on the inequalities (where comparable data is available) and challenges experienced by disabled people in Scotland drawing on research from the period 2019 to 2025.
Appendix 7: Education
| Assessed and / or declared as having a disability | Female | Male | Total Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total assessed and / or declared as having a disability | 9,129 | 16,963 | 26,092 |
| Assessed as having a disability | 7,277 | 13,868 | 21,145 |
| Declared as having a disability | 1,852 | 3,095 | 4,947 |
Source: Pupil census supplementary statistics 2024, table 1.9a
| Assessed requirement of adaptation to school provision | Female | Male | Total Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical adaptation | 1,641 | 2,694 | 4,335 |
| Curriculum adaptation | 6,026 | 11,799 | 17,825 |
| Communication adaptation | 3,019 | 7,034 | 10,053 |
| Not known / not disclosed | 328 | 565 | 893 |
Source: Pupil census supplementary statistics 2024, table 1.9b
| Reason for support | Female | Male | Total Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils for whom a reason for support is reported | 363.8 | 444.0 | 404.7 |
| Learning disability | 11.6 | 22.1 | 17 |
| Dyslexia | 47.8 | 52.4 | 50.2 |
| Other specific learning difficulty (e.g. numeric) | 37.2 | 45.3 | 41.4 |
| Other moderate learning difficulty | 40.4 | 50.3 | 45.4 |
| Visual impairment | 7.4 | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Hearing impairment | 5.7 | 6.1 | 5.9 |
| Deafblind | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Physical or motor impairment | 9.0 | 14.9 | 12.0 |
| Language or speech disorder | 18.1 | 39.4 | 29.0 |
| Autistic spectrum disorder | 30.7 | 73.1 | 52.4 |
| Social, emotional and behavioural difficulty | 71.6 | 129.4 | 101.1 |
| Physical health problem | 26.6 | 29.7 | 28.2 |
| Mental health problem | 21.5 | 14.8 | 18.1 |
| Interrupted learning | 19.3 | 19.7 | 19.5 |
| English as an additional language | 81.1 | 85.0 | 83.1 |
| Looked after | 14.2 | 14.9 | 14.6 |
| More able pupil | 3.5 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
| Communication Support Needs | 14.8 | 32.9 | 24.0 |
| Young Carer | 14.1 | 10.4 | 12.2 |
| Bereavement | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.4 |
| Substance Misuse | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| Family Issues | 41.3 | 43.2 | 42.3 |
| Risk of Exclusion | 1.6 | 4.7 | 3.2 |
| Other | 32.4 | 40.3 | 36.4 |
Source: Pupil census supplementary statistics 2024, Table 1.8b