Definition

Definition of Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Pupils have Special Educational Needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for Special Educational Provision to be made for them.

Pupils with a disability have Special Educational Needs if they have any difficulty in accessing education and if they need any Special Educational Provision to be made for them, that is anything that is additional to or different from what is normally available in schools in the area.

Types of Special Educational Needs

There are four Broad Areas of Need:

Communication and Interaction

•Autistic Spectrum Conditions

•Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Cognition and Learning

•Moderate Learning Difficulties

•Severe Learning Difficulties

•Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties

•Specific Learning Difficulties, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.

Social Emotional Mental Health

•ADHD or ADD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder)

•Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Sensory and/ or Physical

•Visual Impairment

•Hearing Impairment

•Multi-Sensory Impairment

•Physical Difficulties/ Disabilities