Two in five pupils have a neurodiversity or faced a mental health challenge according to the Scottish Government’s annual census of pupils in state schools. This is double the one in five pupils impacted by either issue in 2014.
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This year, 248,448 pupils were recorded as having ASN - including autism, dyslexia or a mental health problem, in contrast with 140,542 a decade ago.
Meanwhile, the number of pupils with a co-ordinated support plan (CSP) - the equivalent of an education, health and care plan in England - has dropped by nearly two thirds.
In 2014, there were 3,128 pupils with a CSP, falling by 61.1% to 1,215 in 2024. This marks a reduction from 2.2% to 0.4% of those with additional support needs.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition, which represents specialist care and education providers, warns that this increase comes amid a reduction of special schools in Scotland. These have dwindled from 145 a decade ago to 107 this year.
A spokesman for the SCSC said the decline in special school places is “worrying” and is “putting increased pressure on the mainstream sector” as many pupils would be “more suited to a special school environment”.
Pupils with neurodiversity and mental health needs are also “drawn disproportionately from poorer neighbourhoods”, warns the SCSC.
“The Scottish government, local authorities, health and other agencies need to work in collaboration with the private and third sectors to provide the necessary resourcing and support to address the needs of children and young people,” the SCSC said.
The SCSC is calling on the Scottish government, councils and health bodies to ensure that all eligible children receive a CSP.
“This needs to be supported by the necessary resourcing, and increased awareness and understanding of CSPs by families or carers and professionals,” added the organisation.
