Glossary of SEND terms
Here is a glossary of special education needs and disability (SEND) terms
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
ASD/ASC |
Autistic spectrum disorder - no longer used by some professional due to the connotations of disorder. Some professionals e.g. speech and language therapist use autistic spectrum condition. |
ADD/ADHD |
Attention deficit disorder / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
CAF |
Common assessment framework |
CAMHS |
Child and adolescent mental health services |
CoP |
Code of practice |
CI |
Communication and interaction |
CL |
Cognition and learning |
CP |
Child protection |
DDA |
Disability Discrimination Act |
DME |
Dual and multiple exceptionality Dual exceptionality (sometimes referred to as twice exceptionality or 2e) is the term used to describe a child who is not only exceptionally able but also has an additional learning difficulty or a disability. |
EAP |
|
ECIRS |
|
EHCP |
Education and health care plan. Replaced old statements (Statutory assessment of a child’s special educational needs) and involves 3 agencies schools, health and social care. |
EP |
Education psychologist |
EPC |
|
GLD |
Global learning difficulties |
Gross Motor |
Large movements e.g. Running, jumping and climbing |
HLTA |
Higher level teaching assistant |
LAC |
Looked after children |
HI |
Hearing impaired |
IEP |
Individual education plan (no longer used by some schools following introduction of CoP 2015) |
LD |
Learning difficulties |
LSA |
Learning support assistant |
MAC |
More able child (child working a year above age-related expectations) |
MLD |
Moderate learning difficulties |
ODD |
Oppositional defiant disorder |
OT |
Occupational therapy/therapist |
PEP |
Personal education plan (for looked after children) |
PD |
Physical disability |
P Levels |
Type of assessment used for pupils working below level 1. |
PMLD |
Profound and multiple learning difficulties profound and multiple learning difficulties - Pupils with PMLD are those with severe and complex learning needs, usually a combination of learning difficulties and sensory impairments or medical conditions. They may only be able to communicate by gesture, eye movement and/or simple language. Often, they cannot manage their own personal care. PMLD pupils need a high level of adult support and sensory stimulation and they are usually educated in special schools or hospital units. |
SAFE |
|
SaLT |
Speech and language therapy |
SEN(D) |
Special educational needs (and disabilities) |
SENCo |
Special educational needs co-ordinator |
K |
SEND Support (replaces SA & SA+) As part of the graduated response this may include targeted or specialist support, when outside agencies become involved. |
SLCN |
Speech, language and communication needs |
SLD |
Severe learning difficulties |
SM |
Selective mutism (formerly known as elective mutism) |
SpLD |
Specific learning difficulties |
SPDs |
Sensory processing disorders |
SPM |
Sensory, physical, medical |
TA |
Teaching assistant |
TAC |
Team around the child |
TAF |
Team around the family (when CAF is about whole family) |
VI |
Visually impaired |
Code for key stage assessment
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
BLW |
Below the standard of the pre-key stage (assessed P1 – 4) |
PK 1 - 6 |
Pre-key stage – growing development of the expected standard (NB – KS1 PK 1 – 4) |
A |
Absent for long periods or recently arrived |
D |
Disapplied from the national curriculum |
L |
Pupil has left the school |
HNM |
Has not met the expected standard |
WTS |
Working towards the expected standard |
EXS |
Working at the expected standard |
GDS |
Working at a greater depth within the expected standard |
F |
Pupil will complete the key stage in the future |
P |
Pupil completed the key stage in the past |