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The SEND world is full of acronyms and jargon that nobody explains. This glossary translates every term into plain English so you can understand reports, letters from school, and your rights without needing a dictionary.
A
AAC — Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Any method of communication used alongside or instead of speech. This includes picture exchange systems (like PECS), sign language, communication apps, and speech-generating devices. If your child is non-speaking or has limited speech, they may be entitled to AAC support through their EHCP.
ABA — Applied Behaviour Analysis
A structured approach to teaching skills and reducing challenging behaviour, based on the science of learning. ABA is widely used internationally but remains debated in the UK. Some autistic adults have raised concerns about certain historical practices. Modern ABA focuses on positive reinforcement and building functional skills.
ADHD — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
A neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control, and activity levels. ADHD can be primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. Many children have both ADHD and autism. NHS assessment waiting times in Kent are similar to autism waits, and Right to Choose can also apply.
Annual Review
A yearly meeting to check whether your child's EHCP is still meeting their needs. The school must hold it, and you must be invited. You can request changes to the plan at this meeting. If the local authority wants to reduce provision, you have the right to appeal. See our annual review guide.
ASD — Autism Spectrum Disorder
The clinical term used in diagnosis for autism. You will see this on diagnostic reports and in NHS letters. Many autistic people and families prefer simply "autism" or "autistic" rather than the disorder framing. SENDPath uses identity-first language throughout.
B
BSL — British Sign Language
The sign language used by the Deaf community in the UK. BSL is a complete language with its own grammar, not a signed version of English. Since 2022, BSL has legal recognition in the UK under the BSL Act. Children who use BSL may have this specified as provision in their EHCP.
C
CAMHS — Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
NHS services for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties. CAMHS can also be the pathway for autism and ADHD diagnosis in some areas. In Kent, waiting times for CAMHS can be very long — speak to your GP about the referral and consider Right to Choose if the wait is for a neurodevelopmental assessment.
Care Component
One of two parts of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The care component is based on how much extra help your child needs with personal care, supervision, and watching over, compared to a non-disabled child of the same age. It comes in three rates: lowest, middle, and highest.
D
DLA — Disability Living Allowance
A tax-free benefit for children under 16 who need extra care or have difficulty getting around because of a disability or health condition. You do not need a formal diagnosis to apply. DLA has two components: care and mobility. See our full DLA guide for autistic children and DLA calculator.
E
EHC Needs Assessment
The formal process where the local authority gathers evidence to decide whether your child needs an EHCP. Anyone can request one — you do not need the school's agreement. KCC has six weeks to decide whether to assess, and the full process should take 20 weeks. See our step-by-step guide.
EHCP — Education, Health and Care Plan
A legal document that describes your child's special educational needs and sets out the specific support they must receive. Unlike SEN Support, an EHCP is legally binding — the local authority must deliver what is written in it. It covers education (Sections B and F), health (Sections C and G), and social care (Sections D and H). See our EHCP application guide and checklist.
EP / EdPsych — Educational Psychologist
A psychologist who specialises in how children learn and develop. EP reports are often used to support EHCP applications, as they provide evidence of a child's cognitive profile, learning needs, and recommendations for provision. Local authority EPs are free but may be limited in scope; private EPs cost around £800-£1,500. See our Kent EP directory.
EYFS — Early Years Foundation Stage
The statutory framework for children from birth to age 5 in England. It sets standards for learning, development, and care. If your child has SEND in the early years, they may receive support through an EHCP or SEN Support within their nursery or reception class.
F
FE — Further Education
Education after secondary school, typically from age 16 to 18 or beyond. This includes sixth forms, colleges, and specialist provisions. An EHCP can continue in further education up to age 25 if the young person needs it. See our transition to adulthood guide.
H
HCPC — Health and Care Professions Council
The regulator for health professionals including occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and educational psychologists. If a professional is HCPC-registered, it means they meet national standards of training, conduct, and competence. Always check registration before commissioning a private report.
I
IASK — Information, Advice and Support Kent
Kent's free, impartial SEND information and advice service (formerly Parent Partnership). IASK can help you understand the EHCP process, attend meetings with you, and advise on appeals. They work for parents, not the council. Every local authority must provide this service by law.
IEP — Individual Education Plan
A document used by some schools to set short-term targets for children on SEN Support. IEPs are not a legal requirement and have largely been replaced by provision maps and SEN Support plans. If your child has an EHCP, the EHCP itself replaces the IEP.
IPSEA — Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
A national charity offering free legal advice on SEND law. IPSEA can help with EHCP applications, appeals, and exclusions. They also run a tribunal support service for parents who are representing themselves. Website: ipsea.org.uk
ISP — Individual Support Plan
A new type of plan proposed in the 2026 SEND reforms for children who need support beyond SEN Support but may not meet the threshold for an EHCP. ISPs are not yet in force and details are still being developed. See our SEND reforms guide.
K
Key Worker
A named professional who coordinates services for a child or family. In SEND, a key worker may be assigned through early support programmes or specialist health services. They act as a single point of contact so you do not have to repeat your story to every professional.
L
LA — Local Authority
Your council. In Kent, this is Kent County Council (KCC). The local authority is responsible for deciding whether to carry out EHC needs assessments, issuing EHCPs, naming schools, and providing the support set out in the plan. They are also responsible for school transport and social care.
Local Offer
Every local authority must publish a "Local Offer" — a directory of all SEND services, support, and provision available in the area. Kent's Local Offer is published on the KCC website. In practice, Local Offers can be hard to navigate, which is one reason SENDPath exists.
M
Makaton
A communication programme that uses signs, symbols, and speech together. Unlike BSL, Makaton uses signs alongside spoken English in the same word order. It is widely used in schools and early years settings with children who have speech and language difficulties or learning disabilities.
Mediation
A meeting between you and the local authority, run by an independent mediator, to try to resolve a disagreement about an EHCP decision without going to Tribunal. You must contact a mediation service before you can register a Tribunal appeal (though you can choose not to actually mediate). Mediation is free for parents.
Mobility Component
The second part of DLA, based on your child's ability to walk and navigate outdoors. It comes in two rates: lower and higher. Many autistic children qualify for Lower Rate Mobility if they need more guidance or supervision than a non-disabled child of the same age when walking outdoors.
N
NAS — National Autistic Society
The UK's largest charity for autistic people and their families. NAS runs a helpline (0808 800 4104), provides information and training, and campaigns for better support. They also accredit services and schools as "autism-friendly."
O
OT — Occupational Therapist / Occupational Therapy
A therapist who helps children develop the skills needed for daily life — including fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and handwriting. OT can be provided through the NHS, through school, or privately. OT reports are valuable evidence for EHCP applications. See our Kent OT directory.
P
PECS — Picture Exchange Communication System
A form of AAC where children communicate by handing over picture cards. PECS teaches children to initiate communication, starting with simple requests and building to sentences. It is widely used with autistic children and those with limited speech. Training for parents and schools is available through the PECS UK website.
PIP — Personal Independence Payment
The adult equivalent of DLA, for people aged 16 and over. When your child turns 16, they will need to transition from DLA to PIP, which has a different assessment process. Start planning early — see our transition guide.
PMLD — Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities
A term used for children and adults who have severe learning disabilities alongside other significant difficulties such as physical disabilities, sensory impairment, or complex health needs. Children with PMLD will almost always have an EHCP and may attend specialist schools.
Portage
A home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with SEND. Portage workers visit your home to help your child learn through play, and they support parents with strategies. The service is free through the local authority, though availability varies across Kent.
PRU — Pupil Referral Unit
A type of school for children who are unable to attend mainstream school, often due to exclusion, medical needs, or behavioural difficulties. PRUs provide short-term education with the aim of returning children to mainstream or special school. If your child has SEND and is at risk of exclusion, seek advice before any move to a PRU.
S
SALT / SLT — Speech and Language Therapist / Therapy
A therapist who helps children with communication difficulties — including speech sounds, understanding language, using language, stammering, and social communication. SALT reports are often key evidence in EHCP applications. NHS SALT has long waiting lists in Kent; private options are also available. See our Kent SALT directory.
SEN — Special Educational Needs
A child has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability that means they need educational provision that is different from or additional to what is normally available. SEN is the educational term; SEND adds "Disabilities" to include physical and health conditions.
SENCO — Special Educational Needs Coordinator
The teacher in a school who is responsible for managing SEN provision. The SENCO coordinates support for children on SEN Support, liaises with outside professionals, and contributes to EHCP applications. Every mainstream school must have a SENCO. If you are concerned about your child, the SENCO is usually the first person to speak to at school.
SEND — Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The umbrella term used in UK law for children who have learning difficulties, disabilities, or health conditions that affect their education. The SEND Code of Practice (2015) sets out the legal framework for how schools, local authorities, and health services must support these children.
SENDIST — Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Service and Tribunal
The old name for the SEND Tribunal — the independent court where parents can appeal EHCP decisions. You may still see "SENDIST" in older documents. The correct current name is the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). See our tribunal guide.
SEND Tribunal
The independent court that hears appeals from parents about EHCP decisions — including refusals to assess, refusals to issue a plan, the contents of a plan, and school placement. Parents can represent themselves and over 99% win at hearing. The process is free. See our EHCP Tribunal guide for Kent.
Sensory Integration / Sensory Processing
The way the brain organises and responds to information from the senses. Many autistic children experience sensory differences — being over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sounds, textures, light, or movement. Sensory integration therapy is delivered by occupational therapists. Sensory Processing Disorder is not a standalone diagnosis in the UK but sensory needs should be addressed in an EHCP.
SLD — Severe Learning Disability
A term used when a child has significant intellectual difficulties that affect all areas of learning. Children with SLD usually need support throughout their lives and typically attend special schools. An EHCP is almost always in place.
SOS!SEN — SOS Special Educational Needs
An independent charity that provides free advice and support to parents of children with SEND. SOS!SEN can help with EHCP applications, appeals, and attending meetings. They run a helpline and offer one-to-one casework. Website: sossen.org.uk
T
Transition Plan
A plan for moving from one stage of education to another — for example, from primary to secondary school, or from school to further education. For children with EHCPs, the annual review in Year 9 (age 14) must include planning for adulthood. See our transition to adulthood guide.
W
Working Document (EHCP)
An informal term for the draft EHCP that is shared with parents before it is finalised. When you receive the working document (draft plan), you have 15 days to comment. This is your chance to check every section, request changes, and make sure the provision is specific and quantified. Use our EHCP checklist to review it.
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