A child or young person has Special Educational Needs (SEN) if they have a learning difficulty or disability which requires special educational provision to be made for them.

SEND can affect children in different ways and needs can change over time.

The four broad areas of need are:

Communication and Interaction

This may include difficulties with:

• understanding language

• expressing ideas and communicating needs

• social communication

• interaction with others

• speech and language development

• understanding social situations.

Cognition and Learning

This may include:

• difficulties with reading, writing or mathematics

• memory and retention

• processing information

• working memory

• concentration and attention

• learning at a different pace from peers.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

This may include difficulties with:

• emotional regulation

• anxiety

• self-esteem

• relationships

• managing feelings

• attention and impulsivity

• behaviour that may communicate an underlying need.

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

This may include:

• hearing or visual impairment

• physical disabilities

• sensory processing differences

• medical needs

• difficulties accessing the physical environment.

Children may have needs across more than one area.

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