Sensory and/or Physical

 
 

Sensory and/or physical needs refer to a range of conditions that affect a person’s ability to interact with the environment. Examples of sensory and/or physical needs include:

  • Physical disbility

  • Vision impairment

  • Hearing impairment

  • Multi-sensory impairment (both hearing and vision difficulties)

  • Sensory processing difficulties

  • Dyspraxia

Physical Difficulties

Children with a physical disability may have difficulty carrying out some day-to-day activities. Physical disabilities can include:

  • cerebral palsy

  • spina bifida

  • neuro-muscular dystrophies

If a child has a physical disability they will usually be referred to a physiotherapist and occupational therapist who can advise on things like exercises, equipment, guidance on what would be helpful and what to avoid.

Vision Impairment

Vision impairment is less that perfect sight, and can range from no sight at all to degrees of useful vision. This could affect distance vision, fields of vision (the ability to see to the sides) or all three.

Vision impairment most commonly affects acuity (ability to see clearly). There are some conditions which produce photophobia (dislike of bright light or glare) or poor vision in low light and some conditions mean that vision can vary in different situations.

Children who solely have a refractive error (long sight, short sight or astigmatism) that can be fully corrected with glasses or lenses are not considered to have a visual impairment.

Some children will have additional needs as well as their vision impairment. Vision impairment amongst children is quite rare.

The NHS has more information on vision impairment.

 

The Vision Impairment Team is part of SENSS which is a countrywide Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching and advisory support service.

Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment or hearing loss may be temporary or permanent and range in severity from a mild loss to a profound loss.

Hearing impairment can have a significant impact on a child’s educational development in some cases resulting in learning delay and reduced curricular access. This will usually require careful monitoring by schools and the Hearing Impairment Team.

Children with a significant hearing impairment are usually fitted as early as possible with hearing aids. Some children with greater hearing loss may be considered for a cochlear implant.

 

A child with a hearing impairment may require some of the following:

  • Flexible teaching arrangements

  • Appropriate seating, favourable acoustic conditions and lighting

  • Adaptations to the physical environment of the school

  • Adaptations to school policies and procedures

  • Access to alternative or augmented forms of communication

  • Access to amplification systems

  • Access to areas of the curriculum through specialist aids, equipment

  • Regular access to specialist support from the Hearing Impairment Team

Sensory Processing Difficulty

Sensory processing is the way that our brain sorts out sensory information so we understand the world and can manage our everyday life whilst learning and interacting with our environment both physically and emotionally. We all have some sensory processing differences. For example, some of us like very strong tastes and smells and others avoid them.

Our senses help us:

  • notice, understand and respond appropriately to what we can see, hear, feel etc

  • become alert of danger

  • remain focussed on task

  • influence our ability to be in control of our responses to what is happening around us

For some children and young people their sensory development is delayed, and they struggle to take part in everyday occupations. For example, they are so unsettled by loud noises or overcrowded spaces that they can’t go to supermarkets or get on the train at peak times.

Some of the daily activities that may be affected as a result of having sensory processing differences include:

  • hair cutting

  • Teeth brushing

  • Moving around

  • Picky eating

  • Leisure activities

  • having a shower

  • eating and drinking

  • going to school or college

  • shopping

It is also important to remember that sensory processing challenges are affected by sleep, hunger, time of day and other variables.

Other Useful Websites

Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour
This is a guide to support parents and carers to make sense of sensory behaviour and it provides useful activities that you can do at home to support your child with this.


Witherslack Group
The Witherslack group support parents and carers to navigate the journey of SEN with resources and a supportive team who are always on hand to help you and your family.