Your guide to SEND abbreviations

Navigating the abbreviations when you get into a teaching career can be tricky. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list to help guide you! Check it out below.  

Mainstream Intervention & SEND Language 

FSM – Free school Meals  

PP – Pupil Premium   

SLT – Senior Leadership team  

LO – Local offer  

YOT – Youth Offender team  

IEP – Individual Education Plan  

CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health  

EWO – Education Welfare Officer   

EP – Education Psychologist  

CP – Child Protection 

Education & Learning (Academic Intervention) 

HLTA – Higher teaching assistant  

RAP – Raising attainment plan  

PTE – Progress test English  

EYFS – Early years foundation stage   

PTM – Progress test math’s  

APP Assessing pupil’s progress 

SEND 

ASC – Autistic spectrum condition  

SLD – Severe learning difficulties  

ASD – Autistic spectrum disorder  

GLD – Global learning delay  

PMLD – Profound and multiple learning difficulties  

SpLD – Specific learning difficulty   

VI – Visually impaired 

HI – Hearing Impaired 

MLD – Moderate Learning Difficulties 

SLCN – Speech, Language & Communication Needs  

BSL – British Sign Language 

PECs – Picture Exchange Communication 

Behaviour (SEMH) 

SEMH – Social emotional mental health  

ADHD – Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder  

SEBD – Social emotional behavioral difficulties   

CLA – Children that are looked after   

IBP – Individual behaviour plan  

EAL English as an additional language  

ADD – attention deficit disorder 

ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder 

PRU – Pupil Referral Unit 

ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 

ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder 

ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder 

AP – Alternative Provision 

BESD – Behavioural, Emotional, and Social Difficulties (now replaced by SEMH) 

CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services 

COP – Code of Practice 

DCD – Developmental Coordination Disorder 

EHCP – Education, Health, and Care Plan 

EP – Educational Psychologist 

HI – Hearing Impairment 

LA – Local Authority 

LD – Learning Difficulties 

MLD – Moderate Learning Difficulties 

OT – Occupational Therapist 

PMLD – Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties 

PRU – Pupil Referral Unit 

SALT – Speech and Language Therapy/Therapist 

SEMH – Social, Emotional, and Mental Health 

SEN – Special Educational Needs 

SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 

SLCN – Speech, Language, and Communication Needs 

SLD – Severe Learning Difficulties 

TA – Teaching Assistant 

VI – Visual Impairment