Health - Disabilities SEND - The Four Areas of SEND

On the Health page of your child or young person's profile there are four questions that ask about the "four areas of SEND". You will often see these questions being asked on application forms, on advice sites etc. But we think these are pretty hard questions to answer, we have included them anyway and you can fill them in, if you can. They presume you already have a really good understanding of the terminology, an educational psychologist insight into your child's needs and how those needs can be fixed. We think this is a bit upside-down. You need to have an EHCP assessment done by professionals to actually establish the needs, so to lay them all out, before the assessment, seems a bit obtuse.

So let's have a look at them.. to try and help you think about what you could possibly put in there.

On this page we are giving you a brief overview of what each one means.

1. Communication and Interaction

This area includes difficulties with:

Speech and language: Trouble expressing thoughts, understanding spoken language, or forming words clearly.
Social communication: Challenges in understanding social rules, body language, or engaging in conversations.

Common Conditions:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): May include delayed speech, literal understanding of language, difficulty with eye contact, and trouble with social cues.
Speech and Language Delay: A child may speak later than peers or struggle to form sentences.
Selective Mutism: A child may speak freely at home but not in school or public settings due to anxiety.

Examples:

A child with ASD might not understand sarcasm or jokes.
A child with a speech delay may say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” and need speech therapy.
A child with social communication disorder may struggle to take turns in conversation or misinterpret facial expressions.

2. Cognition and Learning

This area covers how children learn, think, and remember. It includes both general and specific learning difficulties.

Common Conditions:

Dyslexia: Difficulty with reading, spelling, and phonics.
Dyscalculia: Struggles with numbers, time, and mathematical concepts.
Dyspraxia (DCD): Affects coordination and planning of movements, which can impact handwriting and organisation.
Moderate to Severe Learning Difficulties: May affect all areas of learning and require a highly adapted curriculum.

Examples:

A child with dyslexia may reverse letters (e.g., “b” and “d”) and need coloured overlays or phonics-based support.
A child with dyspraxia may find it hard to hold a pencil or follow multi-step instructions.
A child with global learning delay may need simplified tasks and repeated instructions.

3. Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)

This area includes difficulties with emotional regulation, behaviour, and mental health. These needs may not always be visible but can significantly affect learning and relationships.

Common Conditions:

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): Difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
Anxiety Disorders: Including generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, or phobias.
Depression: Low mood, withdrawal, and lack of motivation.
Attachment Disorders: Difficulty forming secure relationships due to early trauma or neglect.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Persistent patterns of angry, defiant, or vindictive behaviour.

Examples:

A child with ADHD may fidget constantly, interrupt others, or forget instructions.
A child with anxiety may refuse to go to school or feel overwhelmed in noisy environments.
A child with depression may stop engaging in activities they used to enjoy and struggle with concentration.

4. Sensory and/or Physical Needs

This area includes physical disabilities and sensory processing differences that affect access to learning and the environment.

Common Conditions:

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Over- or under-reacting to sensory input like sounds, textures, or lights.
Visual or Hearing Impairments: May require assistive technology or adapted materials.
Cerebral Palsy: Affects movement and coordination.
Epilepsy: Seizures may disrupt learning and require medical support.
Medical Conditions: Such as diabetes, asthma, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Examples:

A child with SPD may be distressed by loud noises or refuse to wear certain fabrics.
A child with a visual impairment may need large print books or sit close to the board.
A child with cerebral palsy may use a wheelchair and need help with physical tasks like writing or dressing.