A passing phase or a special need?

Does my child have a special need or are the difficulties they seem to have part and parcel of 'normal childhood'?

....they may be considered naughty, a fidget, a daydreamer - symptoms of everyday childhood, but  also ones that can conceal underlying special needs. Some develop coping strategies...

You don't need 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, seek advice. So, what constitutes a special educational need (SEN)?

Defining children with special educational needs

Children with special educational needs are defined as those who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. These can be social, emotional, intellectual, behavioural, physical, sensory or a mixture of some or all.

What problems might a child with special educational needs have?

We have come across cases where severe dyslexia has been diagnosed in mid A level when the adaptability finally ran out.

Bright but undiagnosed severe dyslexics have even made it to Oxbridge. Others may have, for example, a hearing loss that has not been identified and they may be considered naughty, a fidget, a daydreamer - symptoms of everyday childhood, but also ones that can conceal underlying special needs. Parents know their children well - so don't feel, just because nobody else has said anything, that 'it's just you'.

Tell-tale signs of special educational needs

 Difficulties may occur with:

• all school work
• specific areas of school work such as reading, writing, numeracy, understanding or processing information
• self-expression or expressing and understanding what others are saying
• listening or paying attention
• establishing relationships, making friends or relating to adults
• behaving appropriately in or out of school
• personal organisation
• motor skills: may be impaired or slow
• sensory or physical needs
• a combination of any of the above.

Twenty per cent?

Many think the number of children with SEN is higher than 20 per cent - indeed it seems to be getting harder to find a family not touched in some way by special needs. Why? Better recognition, detection and diagnosis of...