Learning disabilities: education

If your child has a learning disability, their special educational needs can be met either in a mainstream school
with extra support, or in a special school.
There are guidelines outlined in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for how schools should assess and
meet special educational needs (SEN) to ensure that your child gets the right support. The guidelines apply to places
that are provided by the state (statefunded)! including nurseries! playgroups and schools.
The "#$.%& website has more information about children with SEN . 'or information about the SEN Code of Practice!
see the (epartment for Education website.
Providing the right support for children at school depends on their needs. )ll children with a learning disability will have
special educational needs.
Identifying special educational needs
Some learning disabilities are diagnosed at birth! others later on. *ost are evident by the age of three.
Every child+s special educational needs are different! depending on what ,ind of difficulties they have and how serious
these are. -f you+re worried about your child+s progress or development at school or nursery! tal, to their teacher or the
special educational needs coordinator (SENC#).
The SENC# can spend some time with your child to wor, out what ,ind of e.tra support they might need. 'or e.ample!
this may be a different way of teaching! or having another adult in the classroom.
-f your child doesn+t progress with this e.tra support! the SENC# can organise help from outside the nursery or school!
such as speech and language therapy.
-f your child is younger than four and doesn+t go to nursery! you can contact your local council+s special educational
needs department. 'ind contact details for your local authority. /ou can also tal, to your doctor or health visitor if you
have concerns.
Communicate with your child's teachers
"etting involved with your child+s school will help them get the support they need. 0et the school ,now what+s going on at
home. Tell them what your priorities are for your child and how he or she is doing at home so that the school can build
on this.
Help your child learn
There are things you can do at home to help your child. 1eing very clear in your communication! getting facetoface with
your child and giving onestage rather than twostage instructions all help.
) onestage instruction would be telling your child! ++Put on your coat++ rather than 2Put on your coat and do up the
buttons so we can go2.
/ou can also help by reducing the clutter in your child+s life. "ive them two or three toys to play with at a time rather than
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'ind out more about helping your child learn.
Getting a statement
-f a mainstream school isn+t meeting your child+s needs! you or the school can as, the local authority for a formal
assessment of your child+s special educational needs.
-f the authority agrees to this and decides that your child needs more support than a mainstream school can provide! it
will produce a statement of special educational needs (often 5ust called a statement).
'ind out more about as,ing for an assessment.
Help for parents and carers
1elow are some sources of information and help6
other parents who hae children with learning disabilities 7 parents can be a valuable source of
information! from recommending children+s centres and counselling services! to helpful individuals at the local
authority6 Contact a 'amily can help put you in touch
!amily Information "erice #!I"$ 7 every local authority has an '-S! which must provide information about
local services for all families with children (up to the age of 38 if the child has a disability)
%arent %artnership "erices #%%"$ 7 every local authority has a PPS! which provides parents of children
with special educational needs with information! advice and guidance on finding the right school and support