Types of special educational needs and disability (SEND)

Special Educational Needs (SEN) are grouped into the following four areas of need and support.

Areas of need and support

Those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) find it hard to communicate with others. They might have difficulty saying what they want to, understanding what is being said to them or they do not understand or use social rules of communication. The needs of each child with SLCN is different and can change over time.

Autistic children and young people with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or mild to severe Autism, can have difficulties with social interaction. They may experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

Support for learning difficulties may be required when expected progress is not made over a period of time.

Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs. Often grouped by moderate, severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. Children with severe learning difficulties (SLD) are likely to need support in all areas of learning and difficulties with mobility and communication. Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) are severe and complex learning difficulties, as well as a physical disability or sensory impairment.

Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) affect one or more aspects of learning. This includes a range of conditions such as , and .

Social and emotional difficulties can show themselves in many ways. It might include becoming withdrawn, displaying behaviour that challenges, or disruptive and disturbing behaviour.

These behaviours may be as a result of an additional need, or related to an underlying mental health difficulty. For example, anxiety, depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Children and young people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) or attachment disorder may also need support with their social and emotional behaviour.

Special educational provision is needed when a disability prevents a child or young person from making use of the ordinarily available educational facilities. These difficulties can be age related and may change over time.

This includes vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI), which requires specialist support or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support. Children and young people with an MSI have a combination of vision and hearing difficulties.

If you would like to contribute your experience to create resources about your SEND condition, please get in touch using the contact form.

Local support groups and activities listed by additional need

Our directory lists local groups who can support your family. Some run activities for children and young people with additional needs. We have created some shortlists below to help you with your search.

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