What are Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

If a child finds it harder to learn than other children of the same age, or has a disability which makes it difficult to join in fully with activities, then he or she may have a Special Education Need.  

This could be caused by a difficulty or disability in one of these areas:
• Developmental delay.
• Emotional/social/behavioural condition.
• Sight or hearing.
• Physical disability.
• Medical or health needs.
• Learning in general.
• Specific area of learning such as reading, writing or mathematics.
• Speech, language or communication.
• Movement and co-ordination.

We can support you if your child has a Special Educational Need but does not have a diagnosis.

There may sometimes be a diagnosis, for example:
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Asperger’s Syndrome.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).
• Dyspraxia or Dyslexia.
• Moderate or Severe Learning Difficulties.
• Epilepsy; Diabetes; or other medical needs.
• Cerebral Palsy.

For information about organisations offering support for particular Special Needs, go to the Useful Links area of this website.