Types of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

To understand the types of special needs children may have, it is crucial to know what are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, also known as SEND or SEN.

What is Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Some children have difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn, compared to most children of the same age. Section 20 Children and Families Act 2014 defines a child as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) if he or she “has a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special education provision to be made for him or her”. 

If a child does not have English as their first language, this does not mean they have special educational needs.

What are examples of SEN?

While not an exhaustive list, examples of SEN are:

• Autism.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD).
• Emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).
• Dyslexia.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
• Epilepsy.
• Cerebral Palsy.
• Mobility issues.

What is the difference between a learning difficulty and a disability?

Just because a child has Special Educational Needs (SEN), does not necessarily mean they also have a disability and vice versa.

• A child with learning difficulties has greater difficulty with learning, compared to most other children of the same age.
• A child has a disability, if they have a mental or physical impairment that has significant or long-term impact on their daily lives.

Types of learning difficulties 

Examples of learning difficulties in children are:

• Dyslexia: This causes a child to struggle to read and write because they find it more difficult to connect verbal sounds and speech with written words and letters.

• Dyscalculia: This can cause children to struggle with maths. They can have difficulty with relating a number to its quantity and they can struggle with directions and telling the time.

• Dysgraphia: This causes difficulty with writing e.g. handwriting may be very difficult to read, have words or letters written in the wrong order or even the wrong way round.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This can result in a child having a short attention span and difficulty concentrating, often getting easily distracted.

Types of learning disabilities

Examples of learning disabilities in children are:

• Down’s Syndrome can affect a person’s abilities with speaking, literacy, maths and memory
• Williams Syndrome can cause a child to have difficulty with learning, and be slower in developing skills than other children.
• Rett syndrome is a neurological and developmental condition which affects movement and communication which can decrease as a child gets older.
• Prader-Willi Syndrome can cause a child to develop more slowly, both physically and in terms of academic and social skills, than other children.

What help does a child with SEN require?

A child with SEN, may need additional help with:

1. Understanding, speaking, reading, writing or doing number work.
2. Concentrating, e.g. because they have ADHD.
3. Managing their behaviour, emotions and expressing themselves.
4. Socialising and making friends.
5. Physical, sensory challenges.

Types of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

In the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, the Department for Education has identified four broad areas of need for children and young people which come under SEN.

The four areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are:

1. Communication and interaction
2. Cognition and learning
3. Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
4. Sensory and/or physical needs

If a child has difficulties in one or more of these areas, they may be classed as having SEN and qualify for special educational provision.

1. Communication and interaction

Children with speech, language and communication difficulties may find it hard to express themselves or to understand others.

This could make it harder for a child to interact with others. They may struggle to make friends, communicate their thoughts effectively and understand what is being said to them.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), (which includes Asperger’s and Autism) is likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction.

2. Cognition and learning

This area of SEN affects a child’s ability to think, understand and learn.

If a child has difficulties with cognition and learning, they may struggle with all or specific areas of the curriculum. E.g. literacy and numeracy. They may learn at a slower pace than their peers.

A child may have complex learning difficulties, such as Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). They will require support in all areas of learning.

Children with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia may only need support to learn specific skills.

3. Social, emotional and mental health difficulties

Social and emotional difficulties can present themselves in different ways and a child may become withdrawn or display disruptive behaviour.

A child may find it hard to manage relationships with other people. They may behave in ways that prevent their own or others’ learning and wellbeing.

Underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders may be the cause.

Alternatively, a child may have been diagnosed with a disorder such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

4. Sensory and/or physical needs

This area covers children who have a disability or medical condition that affects their learning and prevents them from making use of generally provided educational facilities.

Children with visual, hearing, multi-sensory or physical impairments may need additional support or equipment to access learning.

How to get SEN help and support?

If a child has special educational needs it is important that this is identified as early as possible. This is to ensure they can receive the right support.

If you believe that your child has SEN, for example if they seem to struggle more than others to understand things or they display disruptive behaviour, speak to your child’s teacher.

You can also speak to the person responsible for SEN at your child’s early years setting. This person is commonly referred to as the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’.

Alternatively, contact your local council or your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service for SEN support.

You can talk to a doctor or health adviser if your child does not go to nursery, playgroup or a childminder.

What are examples of SEN support?

Your child may be eligible for:

• SEN support is given in school. An example of SEN support is speech therapy.
• For older children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs, an education, health and care (EHC) plan is created.

What SEN support exists for a child under 5?

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

• A written progress check when your child is 2 years old.
• A child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3.
• A written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school.
• Making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, e.g. providing aids like tactile signs.

Nurseries, playgroups and childminders registered with Ofsted follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The framework makes sure that there’s support in place for children with SEND.

SEND children are supported in mainstream nurseries. However some children can thrive in nurseries with more specialist care. SEND nurseries offer facilities and staff to help a child with additional needs.

SEND charities

Many charities provide support to children who have SEND and parents.

1. I CAN offers support to children who struggle with communication and can give practical help and advice for parents.
2. SOS!SEN help parents stand up for their children’s rights. It can give advice and support on a range of issues. The charity has a helpline that is open five days a week during term time as well as drop in advice centres.
3. Contact exists to support families with a disabled child to feel valued, supported and informed. Their free helpline is open for people who have questions or concerns regarding education, childcare, finances and more.

If your child has additional needs, you can want more advice on childcare and support based on your location and your child’s needs, contact:

England

Council for Disabled Children’s IAS service
Email: CDCquestions@ncb.org.uk

Scotland

Enquire Enquire
Telephone: 0345 123 2303

Wales

SNAP Cymru
Telephone: 0808 801 0608
Email: enquiries@snapcymru.org

Northern Ireland

SENAC
Telephone: 028 9079 5779