Meeting my child's educational needs

One of your main worries may be about education and how your child 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 which is the government’s statutory guidance on special education. The Code says children with SEN should have their needs met.

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

• physical and/or sensory difficulties
• difficulties with understanding and learning
• difficulties with communication and interaction
• difficulties with feelings, social development and behaviour

Children with autism can fall into any one or all of these categories. They may also need help for medical problems to be able to attend school.