SEN Acronyms

In the world of SEN, there are a lot of acronyms used to shorten documents and allow easy look-ups for certain conditions or professional agencies. To better communicate with families, we created this list of acronyms.

  • ADHD = Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder
    • ADHD is the official, medical term for the condition known as ADHD or ADD – regardless of whether an individual demonstrates symptoms of hyperactivity.
    • ADD is a outdated term that is typically used to describe inattentive-type ADHD, which has symptoms including disorganization, lack of focus and forgetfulness.
  • ARB = Area Recourse Base
  • ASC/D = Autism Spectrum Condition / Disorder
    • Some people with ASC/D prefer to be referred to as “autistic people”.
  • ASCW = Autism Social Communications Worker
  • ASDAT = Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Team
  • BSL = British Sign Language
  • BSS = Behavioural Support Service
  • C&I = Communication and Interaction
  • C&L = Cognition and Learning
  • CAMHS = Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
  • CC = Cornwall Council / Children’s Centre
  • CCN = Children’s Community Nurse
  • CCP = Consultant Community Paediatrician
  • CDC = Child Development Centre
  • CP = Cerebral Palsy
  • DAF = Disability Access Fund
    • funding available for the setting for children in receipt of DLA
  • DCTS = Disabled Children and Therapy Service
  • DLA = Disability Living Allowance
  • EAL = English as an additional language
  • EHH = Early Help Hub
  • EHCNA = Education, Health and Care needs assessment
  • EHCP = Education Health and Care Plan
  • EPS = Educational Psychology Service
  • ES = Early Support
  • EYIS = Early Years Inclusion Service
  • HI = Hearing Impairment
  • HV = Health Visitor
  • IEP/ILP = Individual Education Plan / Individual Learning Plan
  • IW = Inclusion Worker
  • LO = Local Offer
  • MAKATON = A communication system using hand signing (sign + say)
  • MSI = Multiple Sensory Impairment
  • OFSTED = Office for Standards in Education
  • OT = Occupational Therapist
  • PD = Physical Difficulty
  • PHYSIO = Physiotherapy
  • PMLD = Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
  • S&L = Speech and Language
  • S&PN = Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
  • SALT = Speech and Language Therapist
  • SC = Social Care
  • SEMHD = Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties
  • SEN = Special Educational Needs
  • SEND = Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
  • SENDCo / SENCo = Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator / Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
  • SENDIASS = Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (independent service)
  • SENIF = Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding – for settings
  • SLCN = Speech, Language and Communication Needs
  • SLD = Severe Learning Difficulties
  • SpLd = Specific Learning Difficulty
  • TAC = Team around the Child
  • VAST = Variable Attention Stimulus Trait
    • Hallowell and Dr. Ratey coined this new name for ADHD thereby expanding its reach to include millions of people. As VAST is a new term it is only just beginning to be used.
  • VI = Visual Impairment