ABSTRACT
This chapter offers information on the special educational needs most frequently encountered in mainstream schools. It describes the main characteristics of each area of special educational need and disability (SEND) with practical ideas for use by geography teachers and teaching assistants, and contacts for information. The SEND Code of Practice outlines four broad areas of need. They are communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; sensory and/or physical needs. People with Asperger's syndrome have average to high intelligence but experience difficulties associated with being on the autistic spectrum. Students with Autistic spectrum disorder have difficulties in social interaction, communication and areas that involve imagination and flexibility of thought. 'Attention deficit disorder' is the term used to describe a neurological based dysfunction which affects performance, self-regulation and impulsivity. The terms 'learning disability' and 'learning difficulty' are used to describe a wide continuum of difficulties ranging from moderate to profound and multiple.
