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What are special educational needs?

 
All children learn in different ways and at different rates. However, if a child finds it harder to learn then most children of the same age they may be considered to have special educational needs (SEN).

Special educational needs can develop as a result of:

  • a delay in development and general learning difficulties
  • problems with sight, hearing, speech or language
  • physical disabilities
  • a medical or health problem
  • emotional or behavioural problems
  • specific difficulties with reading, writing or maths (for example, dyslexia or dyspraxia).

Learning difficulties

Around 20% of children are considered to have SEN at some point during their time at school. These needs can change as a child gets older. Special provision may be required at one stage, but not at another.

Other reasons

Some children may not make the expected progress at school for other reasons. For example, they may have had a number of changes of school or there may family related factors, such as bereavement.

In these circumstances, a child is not considered to have SEN unless they also have learning difficulties of some kind.

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