The four areas of need in SEND

Communication and Interaction

What are communication and interaction difficulties?

This is where children and young people have speech, language and communication difficulties which make it difficult for them to make sense of language or to understand how to communicate effectively and appropriately with others.  This does not include English as an Additional Language.

Cognition and Learning

What are cognition and learning difficulties?

This is where children and young people learn at a significantly slower pace than others their age.  They may have difficulty in comprehending tasks, lack organisation and memory skills, or have a specific difficulty affecting one particular part of their learning such as in literacy or numeracy.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties

What are social, emotional and mental health difficulties?

This is where children and young people have difficulty in managing their relationships with other people or their own mental wellbeing.  They may be withdrawn, struggle to regulate their emotions or behave in ways that may hinder their or other children’s learning and have an impact on their health and wellbeing.

Physical and Sensory Needs

What are physical and sensory needs?

This is where children and young people may have visual and/or hearing impairments and/or a physical need that can give rise to difficulties in accessing learning without appropriate support and equipment.  Some children can have difficulties with sensory processing and may be over or under sensitive to sensory stimuli.

Some children and young people may have SEN that covers more than one of these areas.