Areas of special educational needs

Children and young people might learn at a slower pace than their peers, even when learning tasks are changed to support them. Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs:

Moderate learning difficulties (MLD) and severe learning difficulties (SLD)

Children and young people will need help with most school subjects. They might also find it hard to move around or talk to others.

Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)

These children or young people have very serious learning needs. They may also have problems with moving around or with their senses, like seeing or hearing.

Specific learning difficulties (SpLD)

This affects one or more parts of learning and includes different conditions like:

• Dyslexia – finding reading and language hard
• Dyscalculia – struggling with numbers
• Dyspraxia – having trouble with movement and coordination

Support may include

Extra teaching time, specialist tools, or input from professionals. Speak with your child’s teacher or SENCo if you have concerns.

Some children struggle to communicate or interact with others. This is often referred to as Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). Difficulties may include:

• expressing themselves
• understanding others
• using appropriate social communication (e.g., turn-taking, body language)

One common condition is Autism (also called Autistic Spectrum Condition or ASC). Autism affects how people see the world and connect with others. It’s called a “spectrum” because it can look very different from person to person. The support they need can vary too.

Support may include

Speech therapy, social communication programmes, and help from school staff. If you're concerned, talk to your child’s teacher or SENCo for guidance.

Some children may find everyday school activities harder because of physical or sensory difficulties.

Sensory difficulties

• Hearing impairment (HI): Trouble hearing sounds and speech
• Vision impairment (VI): Trouble seeing and getting around
• Multi-sensory impairment (MSI): Trouble with both hearing and seeing

Physical difficulties (PD) 

These can affect how a child moves, coordinates, or how strong they are. This is often due to a medical condition.

Support may include

Mobility aids, specialist equipment (e.g. hearing aids, braille), adapted classroom environments and adult assistance.

Some children and young people may struggle with feelings or behaviour that affect how they learn and get along with others. This can look like:

• withdrawing or isolating themselves
• getting angry or upset
• feeling worried or sad
• hurting themselves, using drugs or alcohol, or having problems with eating

Conditions like ADHD can also affect behaviour, but support should look at all their emotional and social needs.

Support may include

Emotional wellbeing programmes, behaviour strategies and mental health support services.

If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional wellbeing, your child’s teacher or SENCo is a good first point of contact.

Having a disability doesn’t always mean a child or young person has special educational needs (SEN). But some disabilities can make SEN more likely. What matters is whether the disability makes learning or joining in at school harder

If a child speaks a different language at home than at school, this doesn’t mean they have a learning difficulty. A language difference is not the same as a learning need.

Not all children with medical conditions have SEN. A health need is not SEN if:

• it doesn’t make learning harder, or
• it doesn’t stop them from joining in with school or training

If it does affect learning, the school may make changes to help. These are usually written in an Individual Health Care Plan.