Welcome again from Primary! It is time this month to look at Special Educational Needs, often shortened to SEN. It could be argued that we all have some sort of Special Needs, something that we are not particularly good at, that would benefit from some specific input on a 1:1 or small group basis. Children with specific needs, such as those with physical challenges (hearing or sight impairment and movement problems) would fall into this category.

However, when we at MIA refer to Special Educational Needs, we are specifically referring to those challenges that some children experience in their learning, such as difficulty in learning to read or difficulties with mathematics. Most often these problems have nothing to do with the pupil’s intelligence, they can often be highly creative and demonstrate other skills, but it can result from an unstable education history, lack of support from home or behavioural issues and lack of concentration.

There are also children who may be affected by one or more cognitive or behavioural disorders such as Inattentive Attention Deficit (iADHD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD), Dyslexia or Dyscalculia. Severe cases of these are hugely disruptive to a child’s ability to learn, but as in all these things there is a wide spectrum of severity. At MIA we have the resources to support mild to moderate cases through individual/small group support and attention in our Booster Zone, where children are helped to catch up with their learning, along with additional support within the classroom.

Children with iADHD may appear to be bored or disinterested in classroom activities. They may be prone to daydreaming or forgetfulness, work at a slow pace, and turn in incomplete work but they lack the hyperactivity component of ADHD. ADHD is a neurological disorder that causes a range of problems such as disruptive behaviour, lack of focus on schoolwork, keeping up with assignments, following instructions, completing tasks, and social interaction. Dyslexia is a learning disability which affects skills involved in reading, spelling, and writing. Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to do mathematics. Much like dyslexia disrupts areas of the brain related to reading, dyscalculia affects brain areas that handle maths and number-related skills and understanding.

Although these conditions are relatively rare and their severity varies greatly, children affected can be helped to develop coping strategies that help them to overcome or reduce any challenges they may have. At MIA we remain committed to helping each and every child in our care, to fulfil their individual potential, regardless of their innate ability.

(Photos – I went to Vwaza over the break so, could not resist. View of lake Kazuni at dawn with Egyptian Geese & Vervet Monkey).