A neurodevelopmental condition that can affect focus, impulse control, and activity levels. Children may appear very active, easily distracted, or may struggle to organise tasks.
Glossary of Terms
Understanding the language used in education, health, and social care can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating support for a child or young person with a neurodiversity. Professionals may use terms and abbreviations that are unfamiliar or confusing, and it’s completely normal to need clarity.
This glossary is designed to help parents, carers, and young people make sense of the words and phrases commonly used when talking about neurodiversity and special educational needs. Each definition is written in straightforward, accessible language so you can feel confident when reading reports, speaking with professionals, or exploring the Local Offer.
Whether you’re just beginning the process or looking to strengthen your understanding, this glossary aims to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and feel supported every step of the way.
A neurodevelopmental condition that can affect focus, impulse control, and activity levels. Children may appear very active, easily distracted, or may struggle to organise tasks.
A lifelong developmental difference that can affect how a person communicates, socialises, and experiences the world. Autism is a spectrum, meaning each person’s support needs and strengths are unique.
A lifelong developmental difference that can affect how a person communicates, socialises, and experiences the world. Autism is a spectrum, meaning each person’s support needs and strengths are unique.
A group of learning differences that affect a child’s ability to understand, remember, or use information. This includes conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and global learning difficulties.
A group of learning differences that affect a child’s ability to understand, remember, or use information. This includes conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and global learning difficulties.
A learning difference that affects understanding of numbers, maths concepts, and numerical reasoning.
A learning difference that affects understanding of numbers, maths concepts, and numerical reasoning.
A condition that affects motor skills, coordination, organisation, and sometimes speech. Children may appear clumsy or find everyday tasks more challenging.
A condition that affects motor skills, coordination, organisation, and sometimes speech. Children may appear clumsy or find everyday tasks more challenging.
A learning difference that primarily affects reading, spelling, and processing written language. Many children with dyslexia also have strong creative and problem‑solving skills.
A learning difference that primarily affects reading, spelling, and processing written language. Many children with dyslexia also have strong creative and problem‑solving skills.
A legal document that outlines a child or young person’s additional needs and the support required across education, health, and social care to help them achieve their outcomes.
A legal document that outlines a child or young person’s additional needs and the support required across education, health, and social care to help them achieve their outcomes.
A set of mental skills used for organisation, planning, managing emotions, and remembering information. Neurodiverse children may find executive functioning tasks more difficult.
A set of mental skills used for organisation, planning, managing emotions, and remembering information. Neurodiverse children may find executive functioning tasks more difficult.
The idea that people’s brains and thinking styles are naturally varied. Neurodiverse conditions—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others—are differences, not deficits.
The idea that people’s brains and thinking styles are naturally varied. Neurodiverse conditions—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others—are differences, not deficits.
Every local authority must provide a “Local Offer” that sets out the services, support, and information available to children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and their families.
Every local authority must provide a “Local Offer” that sets out the services, support, and information available to children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and their families.
A specialist service that supports children with communication, speech, language, or swallowing difficulties.
A specialist service that supports children with communication, speech, language, or swallowing difficulties.
A term referring to children and young people who need additional support to learn or access education due to differences in learning, communication, physical ability, or mental health.
A term referring to children and young people who need additional support to learn or access education due to differences in learning, communication, physical ability, or mental health.
The member of staff in a school responsible for overseeing support for pupils with SEND and for coordinating assessments, interventions, and communication with families.
The member of staff in a school responsible for overseeing support for pupils with SEND and for coordinating assessments, interventions, and communication with families.
Differences in how a child experiences sensory information (such as noise, touch, or movement). A child may be over‑sensitive, under‑sensitive, or seek out certain sensations.
Differences in how a child experiences sensory information (such as noise, touch, or movement). A child may be over‑sensitive, under‑sensitive, or seek out certain sensations.
A category of need describing children who experience challenges with emotional regulation, relationships, behaviour, or mental wellbeing.
A category of need describing children who experience challenges with emotional regulation, relationships, behaviour, or mental wellbeing.
An approach that focuses on a child’s abilities, interests, and potential, rather than only on their difficulties or challenges.
An approach that focuses on a child’s abilities, interests, and potential, rather than only on their difficulties or challenges.
A period of change in a child’s life—such as starting school, moving to a new setting, or preparing for adulthood—that may require additional planning and support.
A period of change in a child’s life—such as starting school, moving to a new setting, or preparing for adulthood—that may require additional planning and support.