Characteristics of different types of special educational needs 

This page takes 4 types of SEND; hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, autism, speech delay and discusses the characteristics of each. As discussed earlier, you may come across other areas of SEND you will need to research and read about. You may also find it helpful to find training on the particular condition to help you as the SENCO, and the key person to know how to support the child and their family better.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It's caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth (NHS online, 2022).

Causes of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can happen if a baby's brain does not develop normally while they're in the womb, or is damaged during or soon after birth.

Causes of cerebral palsy include:

• bleeding in the baby's brain or reduced blood and oxygen supply to their brain

• an infection caught by the mother during pregnancy

• the brain temporarily not getting enough oxygen (asphyxiation) during a difficult birth

• meningitis

• a serious head injury

But in many cases, the exact cause is not clear (NHS online, 2022).

Cerebral palsy can affect a person’s posture, balance and ability to move, communicate, eat, sleep and learn.

The parts of the body affected by cerebral palsy, the level of severity and combination of symptoms can differ for each person. For example, one person may have a weakness in one hand and find tasks like writing or tying shoelaces challenging. Another person may have little or no control over their movements or speech and require 24 hour assistance.

People with cerebral palsy may experience uncontrolled or unpredictable movements, muscles can be stiff, weak or tight and in some cases people have shaky movements or tremors. People with severe cerebral palsy may also have difficulties with swallowing, breathing, head and neck control, bladder and bowel control, eating and have dental and digestive problems.

How does cerebral palsy affect children?

1 in 3 children with cerebral palsy will be unable to walk. Children and young people may need equipment to help them stand and walk, or technoloy based movement equipment. 

Communication issues

Cerebral palsy can affect a person’s ability to finely coordinate the muscles around the mouth and tongue that are needed for speech. The coordinated breathing that is needed to support speech can also be affected, e.g. some people may sound ‘breathy’ when they speak. Some people with cerebral palsy may not be able to produce any sounds, others may be able to produce sounds but have difficulty controlling their movement enough to produce speech that is clear and understood by others. 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy cannot talk.

Pain

3 in 4 people with cerebral palsy experience pain. Pain is often a result of the impairments that are associated with cerebral palsy, e.g. abnormal postures, skin breakdown, hip subluxation, Gastro-oesophageal reflux and scoliosis. This pain can affect a person’s behavior, their ability to do things for themselves, to sleep and their social relationships. People might avoid day-to-day tasks that are important for independence, such as attending school and social events. Pain can be relieved, so it is best to be guided by a medical practitioner.

Eating and drinking issues

Cerebral palsy can affect the muscles that open and close the mouth and move the lips and the tongue. Some people with cerebral palsy may have difficulties in chewing and swallowing food and drink – a condition known as dysphagia. Because cerebral palsy often impacts fine motor skills, many people are unable to easily use cutlery, hold a cup, or transfer food from a plate to their mouth using their hands. Others may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux – where acid from the stomach rises into the esophagus – which makes eating uncomfortable or painful. This can sometimes be controlled by medication.1 in 15 people with cerebral palsy are unable to take food through their mouth and need to be fed through a feeding tube.

Saliva control

Because cerebral palsy can affect the muscles around the mouth, 1 in 5 children with cerebral palsy have saliva loss (also known as dribbling, drooling). The saliva loss may be more noticeable when they are concentrating on doing other tasks.

Intellectual disability

1 in 2 people with cerebral palsy have an intellectual disability. 1 in 5 people have a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Generally, the greater the level of a person’s physical impairment, the more likely it is that they will have an intellectual disability. However, there are people who have a profound level of physical impairment, who do not have an intellectual disability. Conversely, there can be others with a mild physical impairment who have an intellectual disability.

Learning difficulties

Children with cerebral palsy may experience specific learning difficulties. These may include a short attention span, motor planning difficulties (organisation and sequencing of movement), perceptual difficulties and language difficulties. These can impact on literacy, numeracy and other classroom skills and activities. Learning may also be affected by difficulties in fine motor and gross motor coordination and communication. Students with cerebral palsy need to put more effort into concentrating on their movements and sequence of actions than others, so they may tire more easily.

Hearing impairment

1 in 20 people with cerebral palsy also have some level of hearing impairment. 1 in 25 children with cerebral palsy are deaf.

Vision impairment

Vision impairment is not uncommon in people with cerebral palsy. Children with the more severe forms of cerebral palsy are more likely than others to experience myopia, absence of binocular fusion, squint, severe gaze dysfunction, and optic neuropathy or cerebral visual impairment. 1 in 10 children with cerebral palsy are blind.

Behavior and emotional wellbeing

One in 4 children with cerebral palsy have behaviour problems. At greatest risk are those with an intellectual disability, epilepsy, severe pain or a milder level of physical disability. Problem behaviors include dependency, being headstrong, hyperactive, anxious, or prone to conflict with their peer group, or exhibiting antisocial behaviours. Children with cerebral palsy may also have emotional problems such as difficulties with their peer group and strong emotional responses to new challenges. Teenagers and adults with cerebral palsy may be more prone to depression and anxiety disorders.

Epilepsy

1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy have epilepsy. When children have cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, the incidence of epilepsy is higher – 48%. Seizures can affect speech, intellectual and physical functioning. Medication is the most effective intervention for epilepsy and the child’s doctor or therapist may also recommend modifications to the student’s school supports and equipment. Some medications have side effects which cause drowsiness or irritability. Both epilepsy and the related medication can affect a person’s behavior and attention span.

Sleep issues

1 in 5 children with cerebral palsy have a sleep disorder. There are a range of contributing factors, including the muscle spasms associated with cerebral palsy, other forms of musculo-skeletal pain, and decreased ability to change body position during the night. Epilepsy is also known to disturb sleep and is likely to predispose to sleep disorders. Blindness or severe visual impairment can affect the timing and maintenance of sleep through their effect on melatonin secretion and the lack of light perception.

Spinal and hip abnormalities

Abnormalities of the spine and hips are associated with cerebral palsy and can make sitting, standing and walking difficult, and cause chronic pain. 1 in 3 children with cerebral palsy have hip displacement. Children and adults who have a severe physical disability or those whose body is affected on both sides are at greater risk of hip problems. This means that people who use wheelchairs most of the time are more at risk of hip problems than those who walk with assistive devices or independently.

Bladder and bowel control

Continence and constipation are issues for many people with cerebral palsy. 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy have bladder control problems. Children with intellectual disability and/or a severe form of cerebral palsy are most at risk. Lack of mobility and difficulty eating can predispose people with cerebral palsy to constipation.

Treatments for cerebral palsy

There's currently no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatments are available to help people with the condition be as active and independent as possible.

Treatments include:

• physiotherapy – techniques such as exercise and stretching to help maintain physical ability and hopefully improve movement problems

• speech therapy to help with speech and communication, and swallowing difficulties

• occupational therapy – where a therapist identifies problems with carrying out everyday tasks, and suggests ways to make these easier

• medicine for muscle stiffness and other difficulties

• in some cases, surgery to treat movement or growth problems

https://cerebralpalsy.org.au/our-research/about-cerebral-palsy/what-is-cerebral-palsy/how-cerebral-palsy-affects-people/ 

Speech and language delays

What are SLCN?

SLCN stands for speech, language and communication needs. This term is often used in relation to children and young people who have difficulty with some aspects of communication. These difficulties may be minor and temporary, or more complex and long-term. The term ‘needs’ refers both to the child’s or young person’s needs and also what society can do to support them. This can be determined by looking at the child as well as the environments in which they play, learn, communicate and live (SLco, 2022).  SLCN are defined when a child does not follow the normal pattern of development, or reaches these milestones later than expected.

Signs to look out for:

• Difficulty producing sounds correctly

• Speech that is difficult to understand

• Trouble understanding instructions that are being spoken to them

• Difficulty communicating words or forming sentences

• Stammering or slurring

Causes of SLC delays

Speech, Language and Communication Needs can occur as a result of hearing loss, general developmental needs or as part of a disability or medical syndrome, such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or Autistic Spectrum Condition (Afasic, 2022).