Glossary

Know your OT from your Portage Teacher?  If you're not sure have a look at this page.  This page is intended only as a brief guide.  If you want more indepth information, contact your Health or Education professional for more advice.

Early Years Action & Early Years Action Plus

These are different levels of support that are offered within Education settings to provide extra help for your child if they believe your child has SEN.  If your child doesn't make enough progress within these Action Plans they should be referred for a Statutory Assessment.

Educational Psychologist

An 'Ed-Psych' for short, is a qualified Teacher and Psychologist who can assess your childs development.  They can also help advise and plan future services your child may require, such as 'Statementing'.

IEP

Individual Education Plan is a 'tool' used to review the progress your child makes in an Education setting.

Occupational Therapist

'OT' for short - Can help your child with specific skills for eating and dressing, particularly using fine motor skills (using your hands).  They can also help with co-ordination difficulties, percepual awareness (knowing where your body is in space) as well as assessing if there is a need for specialist equipment that could benefit your child.

Paediatrician

A doctor who specialises in children.  They may give your child a diagnosis and they can also refer you on to more specialist services. 

Physiotherapist

A physio has special skills to help improve your childs mobility and independance.  They can also help you with the correct way to lift your child.

Portage Teacher

A Portage worker is usually a qualified teacher who comes to the home of pre-school children with special educational needs.  The aim of this service is to support the child in all areas of development through structured play and co-odinate activities with therapy goals. See more on Portage on our Resources page.

SEN

Special Education Needs

Speech & Language Therapist

Assess and treat people who have difficulties with speech and language.  Some are also qualified to help with the eating and drinking process, such as chewing, sucking and swallowing.

Statement (for SEN)

If the Statutory Assessment agrees that your child needs extra help, it is written ina document called a Statement.  This document clarifies what your childs needs are and what help they should recieve.

Statutory Assessment (for Education)

This is the process used to find out exactly what your childs needs are and what help they will need in an Education setting.  Is is carried out by the Council using specialists.  You can request an assessment.

Tribunal

If you disagree with the provision in your childs statement you can appeal at a meeting called a Tribunal


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