Johanna wants to be the resource that she herself did not get at school

- It's very strange because it is in the lower ages that you should put in support.

After all, I look after myself when I didn't get support in time.

It has led to mental illness, says Johanna Gustafsson, leisure leader and resource at Hisingstorpsskolan in Jönköping.

5,000 missing

According to the National Union of Teachers, there is a lack of 5,000 special teachers in primary schools around the country to cover the need that exists.

According to research, early support gives the best results for learning, says the association.

During the 2021/22 academic year, 5.8 percent of students in primary school have an action program, which corresponds to nearly 64,000 students.

The percentage of students with action programs increases from year 1 to 6. After that, there is a drop and then increases again, and the highest percentage is in year 9, according to figures from the Swedish National Agency for Education.

Enter a depression

Although Johanna Gustafsson's parents noticed that she had difficulty reading and writing already in middle school, it was only in high school that she was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Four years ago, when she was 25, she also learned that she has ADHD and autism.

She now uses the knowledge she gained through her own schooling in her work, she says.

She also lectures and has written a book about the tough times.

- It is easy for me to understand how the children feel and I want to be the resource that I myself did not get at school, she says.