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Funding for a charity supporting children with dyslexia is being doubled,

Dyslexia Scotland will receive £200,000 funding in 2017/18 from the Scottish Government to support its work, which includes a helpline and tutoring.

New tools to help teachers address the needs of pupils with dyslexia are also being developed.

Free online training courses are also being developed to help teachers identify the condition early and improve support for pupils as they learn and when preparing to leave school.

Deputy first minister John Swinney announced the funding where he met young ambassadors for Dyslexia Scotland and the charity’s president, Sir Jackie Stewart.

Mr Swinney said: “It is vital that young people with dyslexia get the support they need so they can achieve their potential.

"I have met young people who show just how much can be achieved with the right identification and support. But we also know there is more to be done.

“That is why we are doubling the funding we provide to Dyslexia Scotland, to support their work in improving opportunities and supporting children and their families.

“To help children get the right start in life, teachers must be properly equipped to identify dyslexia early and provide the right support, which is why we have refreshed our Addressing Dyslexia toolkit, and created new online training tools.”

Sir Jackie Stewart said: “My own experience at school scarred me for life due to the ignorance of my teacher – and we know that there are still too many young people not being identified and supported today.

“Therefore, I am delighted and very grateful that the Scottish Government has supported this initiative and that the deputy first minister has today announced that the funding to Dyslexia Scotland will be doubled next year.”