Some special needs are easy to spot, others are only determined once a child has experienced personal difficulties or academic problems.
Few children fit a condition perfectly – if they do, we tend to say they are a ‘classic’ case. Most will not be straightforward: perhaps a dyslexic with dyspraxia and a touch of ADD, or a child with Down’s Syndrome who also has Autism.
Just as special needs are hard to define, so the perfect provision can be difficult to uncover; having a mobility-friendly school does not make it a haven for the wheelchair user.
Look out for the child who:
Sometimes these are all characteristics of normal childhood too, which is why some SENs are difficult to spot. Importantly, don’t wait for teachers to flag up difficulties; parents, with their holistic knowledge of their child, are often the first to spot difficulties. Unless a school tests every child (and some now screen all children on entry), some children will be missed.
You don’t have to have a formal diagnosis to request help for your child. If you suspect your child has a ‘learning difference’ or difficulty, or you’re just worried about them, seek advice; your child’s class teacher, the school SENCo, GP or health visitor are good starting points.
In addition to teaching staff there are a number of professionals whose role involves helping children with special educational needs:
School and health professionals may decide your child needs are significant enough to undergo a statutory needs assessment, with a view to your child being give an education, health and care plan (EHCP).
If the school doesn't share your concerns and you can afford it, seek out independent advice from an educational psychologist.
Private ed psych reports usually cost around £500 but may be more. The report will make comprehensive recommendations based on your child’s assessment results.
The Children and Families Bill 2014 changed the face of special needs and placed a new focus on special educational needs and disability (SEND). The act and code cover children and young people who have a disability if they also have SEN. Educational needs are the key reason for a plan being issued. Young people with a disability, with health and/or care needs but no SEN, are not covered by the act and code, but they are covered via other acts including The Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Local authorities (LAs) must publish details of what they can provide in their ‘local offer’. This includes local educational, health and social services – including those provided by charities and community groups – and the criteria for getting support. Schools must also publish details of their arrangements for identifying, assessing and providing for SENs and wider support arrangements, eg travel to school.
If your child has an EHCP you and your child can, with the help of your LA, name your chosen state mainstream or special school, or in some cases independent special school on the plan.
If your child has an EHCP and you don’t get the school you named you can appeal to the SEND tribunal.
If your child does not have an EHCP, you will be applying for a school place alongside everyone else and subject to the same admissions criteria for non-selective state schools. Independent schools may require your child to sit entrance exams.
Independent or maintained?
Choosing a school is not only about the cut of the cloth, it’s about getting the perfect fit, everything from the first tack to the last stitch.
You need to examine a school from all perspectives to ensure the fit is a good one. At one extreme, some private schools do not deal with very much SEN, while a state school will have a raft of support but the class sizes or facilities make the school a less attractive option. Sometimes the ideal provision really does not exist and compromises have to be made.
Mainstream or Special?
Don’t assume your child will do better in a mainstream school. Some children will find the pace of learning too fast at a mainstream school and be miserable there, whereas a special school might recognise their needs and strengths. Conversely, at a special school with low expectations, your child may fail to reach their potential.
Visit a selection of schools and visit shortlisted schools more than once.
Don’t choose a school just because it says it offers provision for a specialism such as dyslexia; choose a school because it suits your child. If a school doesn’t advertise that it caters for SEN, but you like it and think it suits your child – ask. You’d be surprised how many schools that do well by children with SEN don’t advertise the fact.
Schools offer a range of provision from fairly minimal intervention to tailor-made curricula. If a school appears perfect, get in touch and find out how they would be prepared to help – the SENCo is a good starting point.
Request a copy of the school’s special educational needs policy and (if the school is independent) ask how much extra you will have to pay for the support that you want.
A good school will:
If you child continues to fall behind, ask your SENCo to commission an EP report. If they don’t want to do it, consider getting an EP’s formal assessment yourself.
A good EP will produce a detailed written report that describes your child’s educational characteristics and the reasons for them as well as the impact of their findings and recommendations to support them. They will talk to the school and family as well as carrying out a range of formal and informal tests with your child. Generally, that’s it - no further analysis or treatment, though you may want a progress report after a few years.
Typically SEN children will need additional or special assistance to put them on a level playing field with their peers. For some, support can be achieved by relatively simple, short-term measures: having a scribe or being given extra time in exams; for others, more complex support is needed which may last a lifetime. No two special needs children are the same, that’s what makes them special.
Need help? Perhaps you suspect your child has some learning difficulty and you would like advice on what you should do. Or perhaps it is becoming clear that your child's current school is not working for him or her, and you need help to find a mainstream school which has better SEN provision, or to find a special school which will best cater for your child's area of need. Our SEN consultancy team advises on both special schools, and the mainstream schools with good SEN support, from reception through to the specialist colleges for 19+. Special Educational Needs Index
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