Meeting my child's educational needs

It’s natural to worry about your child’s education and how they will cope with school.

Children with learning difficulties and disabilities that affect their learning are said to have special educational needs (SEN). The SEN law gives parents and children important rights. Under the law, schools and local authorities have to take notice of the SEN Code (PDF 500KB). This is the Government’s statutory guidance on special education and outlines how the needs of children with SEN should be met.

The SEN Code breaks learning difficulties down into four main areas:

1. physical and/or sensory difficulties
2. difficulties with understanding and learning
3. difficulties with communication and interaction
4. difficulties with feelings, social development and behaviour

Children with autism can fall into any or all of these categories. They may also need help with medical problems to enable them to attend school.

• Where will my child go to school?
• Does my child need a statement?
• What help is there for children without statements?
• Educating your child at home
• Appealing about special education
• Read other parents' experiences