How to Effectively Teach and Support Students with SEND

Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) can often be an overwhelming topic for many teachers, because often, these are the students who need us most, but who can also be the ones that present the most challenges in the classroom. 

There is not one strategy that works when accommodating a student with SEN, because each student and SEN is unique, and the support given, should be tailored to that specific SEN and to the student's interest and ability. Helping a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will not require the same special educational resources as will supporting a student with Dyslexia. You could still have two students with ADHD who need completely different levels and types of support. This is because the degree of SEN and interest and ability of the student is always different. 

But worry not, tools like Elina AI can help you understand the different special educational needs in schools and build up lesson plans and accommodate activities for the specific student with SEN.  

What Are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is an umbrella term that describes a broad spectrum of learning difficulties and conditions that can impact a child’s ability to learn, communicate, and fully participate in classroom life. Recognizing these needs is the first step toward providing effective, inclusive education.

The special educational needs definition encompasses a wide range of challenges that students may face, some visible, others less so. These may include learning differences, physical disabilities, communication difficulties, and behavioral or emotional issues.

SEND can affect children in many different ways. Some may have difficulties with attention and concentration, as seen in ADHD, while others may experience challenges with social communication and sensory processing, which are common features of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Conditions such as Dyslexia can make reading and writing more difficult, and Dyscalculia can affect a child's ability to understand and work with numbers. These are all common special educational needs examples that educators may encounter.

These needs are not necessarily related to a child's overall intelligence. Many students with SEND have average or above-average intellectual ability but require tailored support to succeed in traditional learning environments. They may:

• Struggle to follow instructions or process spoken information 

• Find reading, writing, or arithmetic particularly challenging 

• Show signs of restlessness, impulsivity, or difficulty maintaining focus 

• Prefer routines and predictability, or react strongly to sensory stimuli

SEND can also include physical and sensory impairments, such as hearing or visual difficulties, and in some cases, a child may have multiple overlapping needs.

Providing effective special educational needs support involves more than just classroom modifications, it’s about creating an environment where all students feel understood and valued. This may include using assistive technologies, adjusting lesson delivery, providing quiet spaces, or offering additional adult support and intervention through special educational resources.

Ultimately, understanding the range and nature of SEND helps educators build a more inclusive classroom where every child, regardless of their challenges, has the opportunity to learn and grow. Special educational needs in schools must be addressed systematically, through individualized strategies and support systems.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children focus, behave, socialize, and handle everyday activities. While it’s normal for kids to be active  or  get distracted  sometimes,  children with  ADHD  experience  these  challenges much more often and much more strongly, and they don’t just "grow out of it." These difficulties can cause real problems at school, at home, and with friends.

It’s important to know that ADHD can look different as children grow. The way it affects someone can change over time, and the right support from a special educational needs teacher or trained school staff can make a big difference! Here are some classroom adaptations you can use to support students with ADHD:

• Use visual schedules (written or picture-based) to outline daily activities. 

• Give advance warnings before transitions (e.g., “5 minutes until math”). 

• Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. 

• Provide flexible seating (e.g., wobble stools, standing desks, floor cushions). 

• Alternate between high-focus and active tasks. 

• Teach students to use checklists and planners. 

• Do daily backpack checks for materials and homework. 

• Set clear, consistent rules and reinforce positive behavior. 

• Teach self-monitoring with timers or rating scales. 

• Shorten assignments to reduce overwhelm. 

• Allow oral responses when writing is challenging. 

• Use multisensory teaching (videos, hands-on tasks, games).

Autism Spectrum Disorder 

Autism is a developmental condition that affects how children communicate, interact, and make sense of the world around them. Every child with autism is different - some may need support with language or social skills, while others may struggle with sensory sensitivities, transitions, or changes in routine. 

With understanding and thoughtful strategies, special educational needs teachers can create a more inclusive classroom for autistic students. Here are some helpful adaptations:

• Use clear, consistent routines and visual schedules. 

• Give plenty of warning before changes in activity or routine. 

• Use simple, concrete language and avoid idioms or sarcasm. 

• Create calm, quiet areas for breaks when students feel overwhelmed. 

• Offer noise-cancelling headphones or sensory tools if needed. 

• Teach social skills through modeling, role-playing, or visual support. 

• Use visual aids (pictures, diagrams, charts) to support understanding. 

• Allow extra processing time before expecting a response. 

• Pair verbal instructions with written or visual cues. 

• Provide choices to promote independence and reduce anxiety. 

• Encourage peer buddies to support inclusion and communication. 

• Be patient and consistent - flexibility helps students feel safe.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that makes reading, spelling, and writing more difficult. It has nothing to do with intelligence, students with dyslexia often have strong creative or problem-solving skills but need specific strategies to access written language.

The right special educational needs support can boost confidence and help students succeed. Here are some adaptations:

• Use text-to-speech tools or audiobooks to support reading. 

• Allow extra time for reading and writing tasks. 

• Provide instructions both orally and in writing. 

• Break large reading or writing assignments into smaller steps. 

• Avoid overloading worksheets, keep formatting simple and uncluttered. 

• Allow oral responses or scribing instead of written work. 

• Use graphic organizers to help plan and structure writing. 

• Avoid asking students to read aloud unless they volunteer. 

• Teach spelling and phonics in a structured, multisensory way. 

• Encourage keyboard use if handwriting is difficult. 

• Give regular, positive feedback to build confidence.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning difference that affects a child’s ability to understand numbers and math concepts. Students may struggle with counting, telling time, remembering math facts, or recognizing patterns. These difficulties can make math lessons frustrating or overwhelming.

Supportive teaching, and access to special educational resources, can help make math more accessible and less stressful. Here are some class adaptations for students with dyscalculia:

• Use visual aids like number lines, charts, and math manipulatives. 

• Break math problems into small, manageable steps. 

• Provide extra time for math tasks and tests. 

• Avoid timed math drills, which can increase anxiety.

• Use real-life examples to explain abstract math concepts. 

• Teach strategies using patterns, visuals, and storytelling. 

• Encourage use of calculators or math apps for support. 

• Give step-by-step instructions and check for understanding. 

• Offer guided practice before moving to independent work. 

• Use color coding to highlight place value or steps in a problem. 

• Provide written examples of how to solve problems. 

• Reinforce learning through repetition and hands-on activities. 

Final Thoughts: Helping Students with SEND

Every child learns in a unique way, and a child with SEND simply does not yet know what their best way is. It is our job as educators to help them find it, and that requires the right training. That’s why special educational needs teacher training is essential to empower educators with the knowledge and skills they need.

So if you are a school teacher or a homeschooling parent or educator, Elina's AI-powered lesson planner - designed for real educators, not tech experts - is there to help you.

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