Special Educational Needs and Disability code of practice (2014) states that there are four main areas which cover Special Educational Needs. These areas and their meaning are as follows:
Area of Special Educational Need |
Relating to difficulties with: |
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Communication and Interaction |
Children may have a delay or disorder in one or more of the following areas: Attention / Interaction skills: May have difficulties ignoring distractions. Need reminders to keep attention. May need regular prompts to stay on task. May need individualised motivation in order to complete tasks. Difficulty attending in whole class. Interaction will not always be appropriate. May have peer relationship difficulties. May not be able to initiate or maintain a conversation. Understanding / Receptive Language: May need visual support to understand or process spoken language. May need augmented communication systems Frequent misunderstandings. Repetition of language and some basic language needs to be used to aid their understanding. Speech / Expressive Language: May use simplified language and limited vocabulary. Ideas / conversations may be difficult to follow, with the need to request frequent clarification. Some immaturities in the speech sound system. Grammar / phonological awareness still fairly poor and therefore their literacy can be affected. |
Cognition and Learning |
Children may have difficulties with the skills needed for effective learning such as use of:
Children may have a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia or dysgraphia. |
Social, Mental and Emotional health |
Children may have difficulties with social and emotional development which may lead to or stem from:
|
Sensory and / or Physical |
Children may have medical or genetic conditions that lead to difficulties with:
|