Mental health implications of undiagnosed learning disabilities in children and young people

Published: May 27, 2022

Research has shown that children and young people with learning disabilities have an increased risk for mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. What’s less clear, however, are the mental health implications for children and young people who have undiagnosed learning disabilities or who receive late diagnoses. This document draws from more than 20 years of peer-reviewed and grey literature on the topic to examine how diagnoses — or lack thereof — impact self-perception, educator and service provider perceptions and service effectiveness.