what does SEN mean?
SEN refers to students who have difficulties in learning that are beyond the scope of what a classroom teacher would usually assist them with. SEN can come in a variety of forms. Each child is unique, and he or she can fall into one or more of these categories. The four main categories are:
1. Communication and Interaction
2. Cognitive and Learning
3. Social, Mental and Emotional Health
4. Sensory and/or Physical Need
1. Communication and Interaction
2. Cognitive and Learning
3. Social, Mental and Emotional Health
4. Sensory and/or Physical Need
what traits might my child display if they fall into any the categories of SEN?
Communication and Interaction:
Cognition and Learning:
Social, Mental and Emotional Health:
Sensory and/ or Physical Need:
- Hearing Impairment (HI)
- Visual Impairment (VI)
- Physical needs and Disability (PD)
- Sensitivity to light, noise, food/ chemical allergies
- Self care and help with personal hygiene routines
Please Note BEHAVIOUR is not a category of SEN; Behavior is an outcome of an underlying condition or emotion. We have to look for a cause in order to respond effectively to any challenging behaviours.
- Difficulty in ignoring distractions
- May require prompts to stay on task
- Friendships may be fragile or may find social relationships and conversational norms difficult to maintain.
- Language processing difficulty
- Speech and Language- may require Speech Therapy
Cognition and Learning:
- Students may find it difficult to remember what they have learnt
- Memory and organisational skills
- Understanding of number and problem-solving
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Decision making and information processing
Social, Mental and Emotional Health:
- Students may experience depression/ low self esteem
- Isolation
- Attention disorders
- Attachment disorders
- Issues with self image
Sensory and/ or Physical Need:
- Students have a medical need or genetic condition that will need extra support and a sensitive approach within the school
- Hearing Impairment (HI)
- Visual Impairment (VI)
- Physical needs and Disability (PD)
- Sensitivity to light, noise, food/ chemical allergies
- Self care and help with personal hygiene routines
Please Note BEHAVIOUR is not a category of SEN; Behavior is an outcome of an underlying condition or emotion. We have to look for a cause in order to respond effectively to any challenging behaviours.