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SEN Jargon

The world of SEND is full of unfamiliar terms and acronyms.  Here are some of the most common. 

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ASC / ASD - Autistic Spectrum Condition / Autistic Spectrum Disorder

CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

CYP - child / young person

EHCCo - Education Health Care Co-Ordinator (Part of the Local Authority)

EHCP - Education Health Care Plan

EP - Educational Psychologist

GD - Global Delay (delayed development in more than one area - e.g. physical, speech, learning etc)

HI - Hearing Impairment

IPM / IEP - Individual Provision Map / Individual Education Plan

LA / LEA - Local Authority / Local Education Authority

MAPP - Multi Agency Provision Plan

MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty

ODD - Oppositional Defiance Disorder

OT - Occupational Therapy

PDA - Pathological Demand Avoidance (a form of Autism which is characterised by avoiding things)

SaLT - Speech and Language Therapy.

SDQ - Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (part of ADHD / ADD/ ASD Assessments)

SEND - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

SENDCo - Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (in school)

SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty 

SPD - Sensory Processing Disorder

SSA - A support assistant assigned to a child with an EHCP (Also called a 1 to 1)

TA - Teaching Assistant 

VI - Visual Impairment