SEND – Vocabulary

Special Educational Needs has a wide range of vocabulary with many acronyms that are frequently used. We are aware that this can often lead to confusion for everyone involved. Below is a list of some of the most frequently used terms in Special Educational Needs and Disability with a description of what they mean, to help to eliminate some of the confusion that may impede communication.

Acronym Meaning
AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ASD Autistic Spectrum Disorder
BESD Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties
BSL British Sign Language
CAF Common Assessment Framework (Being replaced by EHA in Central Bedfordshire)
CAFCASS Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CF Cystic Fibrosis
COP Code of Practice
CP Cerebral Palsy
DfE Department for Education
DS Downs Syndrome
EAL English as an Additional Language
EHA Early Help Assessment (Replacing the CAF in Central Bedfordshire)
EHCP Education, Health and Care Plan (Gradually replacing statements)
EP Educational Psychologist
FSM Free School Meals
GT Gifted and Talented
HI Hearing Impairment
IEP Individual Education Plan
IPM Individual Provision Map
KS Key Stage
LA Local Authority
LAC Looked After Child
LEA Local Education Authority
MLD Mild Learning Difficulties
MSI Multi-Sensory Impairment
NC National Curriculum
OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OT Occupational Therapy
PD Physical Disability
PMLD Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.
PRU Pupil Referral Unit
SALT Speech and Language Therapy
SEND Special Educational Needs and Disability
SENCo Special Educational Needs Coordinator
SLCN Speech, Language and Communication Needs
SLD Severe Learning Difficulties
SpLD Specific Learning Difficulty
TA Teaching Assistant
TAC Team Around the Child
TAF Team Around the Family
VI Visual Impairment