Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Information for Parents
Welcome to The Oaks’ SEND information page. If you have any concerns about your child or would just like some advice and support, you can contact the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Fallon Trainor at trainorf@the-oaks.bolton.sch.uk
What is a special need?
In England, the government defines special needs as… A child has special educational needs if they have a learning problem or disability that make it more difficult for them to learn than most children their age. They may have problems with schoolwork, communication or behaviour.
‘Special educational needs’ is a legal definition and refers to children with learning problems or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children the same age. Reference https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/children-special-educational-needs
There are four main areas of Special Educational Need:
Cognition and Learning
Communication and Interaction
Social Emotional Mental Health
Physical and Sensory
Useful Information
The Oaks’ SEND Information Report & Policy – SEND Report
SEND Code of Practice – What is the SEND Code of Practice SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Bolton Local Offer My Life in Bolton – a directory of services in Bolton – activities, events, things to do and what’s on
Bolton SEND Handbook – The SEND Handbook (boltonstartwell.org.uk)
SENDIASS – SENDIASS | Home | KIDS
Dyspraxia
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. DCD is formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation. DCD is distinct from other motor disorders such as cerebral palsy and stroke, and occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. Individuals may vary in how their difficulties present: these may change over time depending on environmental demands and life experiences, and will persist into adulthood.
Dyspraxia Foundation – 30th Anniversary – Dyspraxia at a glance
Dyspraxia – YouTube
Dyspraxia Foundation: Dyspraxia in the workplace – YouTube
Speech, Language & Communication Needs
Children with Speech, Language & Communication Needs may have difficulty with many aspects of communication. These can include difficulties with fluency, forming sounds and words, formulating sentences, understanding what others say and using language socially.
Information about the effects of lockdown on speech & language in young children: Lockdowns hurt child speech and language skills – report – BBC News
Neurodiversity
Information about a range of neurological learning differences including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Disgraphia Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Pledge (neurodiversity-celebration-week.com)
An informative powerpoint celebrating neurodiversity in children: Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Pledge (neurodiversity-celebration-week.com)
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2022 (PS).pdf | DocDroid
Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world
National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk)
What is Autism? 6 Common Autism Behaviors | Autism – YouTube
Amazing Things Happen – by Alexander Amelines – YouTube
Autism Facts – A range of facts about Autism
ADHD
ADHD is a condition that is defined through analysis of behaviour. People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with day-to-day functioning and/or development.
ADHD UK | ADHD UK
Childrens-Guide_FINAL.pdf (adhdfoundation.org.uk)
Your Child’s ADHD Circuit: How ADHD Works #ADHD – YouTube
What ADHD Feels Like – YouTube
ADHD Foundation
Working Memory
Working memory is the ability to hold information in our minds and manipulate it over short periods of time. Here are some resources to support children with their working memory
Supporting Students with Working Memory Challenges – YouTube
https://www.memorylosstest.com/free-working-memory-tests-online/
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It’s a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing.
Dyslexia – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Dyslexia, the Gift. Information and Help for Dyslexia.
A video link about how dyslexia affects how he brain processes information: See dyslexia differently – YouTube
A link to explain what it feels like to have dyslexia: Visual Dyslexia Explained – how text appears with Scotopic Sensitivity (dyslexia) (full version) – YouTube
British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
