The signs of SEN in Children: When and How to Seek Support as Parents?

Every child develops at their own pace, but some may face persistent challenges that require additional support or tailored educational approaches. SEN (Special Educational Needs) refers to the needs of individuals with conditions that significantly impact their ability to learn and engage with the educational environment compared to peers. Considering that SEN refers to a wide range of learning needs that may be related to conditions such as ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, SpLD, and more, there are various signs of SEN, and these signs may vary greatly between individuals and developmental stages. However, there are a few common signs that children with SEN may show, which are not confined to the characteristics of a single diagnosis. 

1. Delay in developmental milestones 

Developmental milestones refer to certain skills and abilities that most children achieve by a certain age as part of their development. Sometimes, in early childhood (e.g., preschool age), children may show delays in developmental milestones, including motor skills (e.g., walking, using tools), cognitive abilities (e.g., remembering routines, solving simple problems), speech and language skills, and social abilities. Such delays can sometimes be a sign of SEN. However, it’s important to note that every child develops at their own pace, and a delay in one or more milestones alone is not necessarily an indicator of SEN—though it may be worth monitoring closely or discussing with professionals. 

2. Academic challenges 

Another potential sign of SEN would be academic challenges that are not in line with age expectations. Some children may consistently underperform, or have trouble with certain subjects (e.g., maths), or key academic skills (e.g., reading, writing, etc.) compared to their peers. They also might make little progress at school (or may even regress), even when given the right learning materials and education for their age. Additionally, they may find it hard to concentrate or retain information, which can significantly hinder their overall academic achievement. 

3. Behavioural challenges 

Children may show disruptive or aggressive behaviours at school or at home, have frequent tantrums, or behave in unusual ways to manage their anxiety. Some may say they don’t like school—or even refuse to go altogether. These behaviours often stem from the challenges they face, such as struggling to communicate, keeping up with schoolwork, or feeling overwhelmed by the school environment. 

4. Social-emotional challenges 

Children may also experience social difficulties, considering that school is where children begin building relationships outside of the family. They may experience difficulties in making peer relations, maintaining relationships, or socialising with others through eye contact and communication. When social interactions feel too challenging, children may begin to avoid them. This can lead to increased isolation or even school refusal. They might also have trouble understanding other people’s emotions, managing their own feelings, or expressing how they feel—all of which can make fitting in at school more difficult. 

When to seek support? 

You don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis to seek help. While the age for diagnosis can vary depending on the condition, what matters most is acting early if you notice changes in your child or feel concerned about them. 

The signs mentioned earlier can appear in many different situations, and they may look different in each child. For example, a child with autism (ASD) might struggle to understand social cues, which could show up as difficulty interacting with others or refusing to go to school. A child with ADHD, on the other hand, might have trouble focusing in class, which often affects their learning and academic performance. 

Therefore, it is important to seek support early if you identify your child’s unique challenges; so they can get adequate support when actually experiencing challenges. 

How to seek help? 

Once you decide to seek help, you might feel stuck, not knowing where to start. To get support that meets the needs of your child, it is important that you know where to get help, are prepared, and monitor the progress. 

1. Know where to get help 

You might first notice your child’s difficulties at home, but it’s important to find out if the same challenges happen in contexts beyond it. A good first step is to speak with your child’s class teacher. They can give you insights into your child’s behaviour at school and guide you on the next steps. If your school has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), they are also a valuable resource. SENCos oversee the school’s support for children with special educational needs and can help arrange assessments or referrals if needed. There are also specialists outside school who can help, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, or play therapists. 

2. Be prepared 

Being prepared helps you get the most from the support available. It is important to clearly identify what kind of challenges your child is facing, which will help teachers and professionals tailor the right support. Broadly, there are 4 areas of SEN that should be identified and focused: 

a. Communication and interaction (e.g., difficulties understanding and using verbal and non-verbal communication, struggling in talking or saying what they want to, etc.) 

b. Cognition and learning (e.g., learning at a slower pace than others, struggling with organisation and memory, etc.) 

c. Social, emotional, and mental health difficulties (e.g., finding relationships difficult, appearing withdrawn or isolated, etc.) 

d. Physical and/or sensory needs (e.g., physical difficulties, visual impairment, etc.) 

Identifying difficulties your child experiences in these areas would help everyone involved make informed decisions about the type and level of support to provide. 

3. Monitor the progress 

Support is most effective when it's adjusted based on your child’s progress—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. Keep in regular contact with teachers and professionals to share any changes you notice at home. You can also support your child’s journey by sharing school reports, notes about their behaviour, or your own observations over time. This helps everyone involved to respond to your child’s changing needs and make sure the support stays relevant and helpful.