Scottish children with learning difficulties are not receiving an appropriate level of educational care and support, according to a new survey published today.

The study by charity Mindroom estimates that nearly a fifth of Scottish school children have a recognised learning difficulty. This would put the figure at around 120,000 affected pupils, much higher than the official figure of 30,000 children receiving learning support.

Mindroom believes that many children are suffering from a lack of expert supervision, particularly if they have disorders on the autistic spectrum. As part of a proposed package of reforms, the charity is calling for greater training for staff and more investment in learning difficulties research.

"This new survey suggests that official government figures on learning difficulties have been masking a much larger problem than we'd previously thought. Properly diagnosed and supported, people with learning difficulties can make a tremendously positive contribution to society," said Sophie Dow, the founder of Mindroom.

"But too many today are condemned to long term unemployment or – worse still – committing crime, because they don't get the help and understanding they so desperately need. Without concerted action, these shocking new figures suggest that we risk sleepwalking into the biggest public healthcare crisis of our time."

The charity is aiming for all adult and children with learning difficulties to have their conditions recognised and properly supported by 2020. Its latest campaign was also recently backed by a parliamentary motion tabled by Jackie Baillie MSP.