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SEND Terminology/Acronyms

ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ADDISS

Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service

Amanuensis

Supporter who helps pupils with SEN put their thoughts onto paper

AOT

Autism Outreach Team

ASD

Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Pupils who may find it difficult to understand and use non-verbal and verbal communication

Asperger's syndrome

Pupils on the autism spectrum, higher functioning

B-Squared

Assessment system used at Woodlane

BDA

The British Dyslexic Association

BESD

Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulty. Pupils whose behaviour or social needs present a barrier to learning

CAMHS

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service

CF

Cystic Fibrosis

CLAPA

Cleft Lip and Palate Association

CoMED

Co-ordination for Medical Needs

DCD

Development Co-ordination Difficulty. Also termed Dyspraxia

Dyscalculia

Pupils having difficulty in acquiring mathematical skills

Dyslexia

Pupils having a marked and persistent difficulty in learning to read, write and spell, despite progress in other areas

Dyspraxia

Pupils with impairment of gross and fine motor skills

EAL

English as an additional Language

ECM

Government Green paper

EHCP

Education and Health Care Plan

EMASS

Ethnic Minority Achievement Support Service

EPS

Educational Psychology Service

EWO

Educational Welfare Officer

HI

Hearing Impaired

HLTA

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

IPS

Individual progress selection

Inclusion

School provides flexible curriculum and increased capacity to meet needs of all pupils

Integration

Where a child fits into existing school provision and curriculum

LEA

Local Authority

MD

Muscular Dystrophy

MLD

Moderate Learning Difficulties. Pupils whose attainments are significantly below expected levels in most areas of the curriculum

MNU

Medical Needs Unit

MSI

Multi-Sensory Impairment. Pupils with complex visual and hearing difficulties

NASEN

National Association for Special Educational Needs

P Scales

Performance descriptors. A common basis for measuring the progress of pupils working up to level 1 in all subjects of the National Curriculum

PD

Physical Disability

PMLD

Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. Pupils with complex learning needs and other significant physical difficulties

Portage

Home-based pre-school education for children with development delay, disabilities or any other special educational needs

RNIB

Royal National Institute for the blind

RNID

Royal National Institute for Deaf and hard of hearing people

Inclusion

School provides flexible curriculum and increased capacity to meet needs of all pupils

Integration

Where a child fits into existing school provision and curriculum

SA

School Action

SA+

School Action Plus

SALT

Speech and Language Therapist

SEN Code of Practice

Practical guidance to LEAs and the governing bodies of all maintained schools

SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

SENA

Special Educational Needs Assessment Service

SENDCo

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator

SENDIST

SEN & Disability Tribunal

SLCN

Speech, Language and Communication Needs. Pupils may have difficulty in understanding and / or making others understand information conveyed through spoken language

SNAPT

Special Needs Assessment Placement Team

SpLD

Specific Learning Difficulties. A descriptor covering Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia

SLCN

Speech, Language and Communication needs

Statement of Special Educational Needs

Legally enforceable document that describes the special educational needs of the child and how these needs will be met

Statutory Assessment 

Multi-disciplinary assessment by the LA of a child’s educational need

SSS

Specialist Support Service

STS

Specialist Teaching Service

TA/LSA

Teaching Assistant/Learning Support Assistant. Interchangeable terms for support staff

TES

Traveller Educational Service

Transition Plan

A plan drawn up at the Annual Review of Year 9 pupils, who have learning difficulties or disabilities. Reviewed annually

VI

Visually Impaired

Wave 3

Specific targeted approaches for pupils with SEND