What does that mean?
Sometimes we come across words or terms that feel unfamiliar or confusing. This page is here to help you understand some of the phrases and acronyms you may encounter along your journey.
Terminology
Neurodiverse
A difference in the way someone thinks, learns and processes information. Commonly used to describe people with a diagnosis of autism and / or ADHD.
SEN
A child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) has learning difficulties that may make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age.
EHCP
An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal document outlining the needs and provision required for a child or young person with SEN.
Learn more here.
SEMH
Social Emotional Mental Health is a category of SEN referring to children who struggle to manage their emotions, behaviours and relationships.
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are NHS-funded teams that assess and treat children and young people with emotional health. They also carry out assessments for neurodiversity.
It is widely reported that many CAMHS teams struggle to provide a timely and effective service.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a type of neurodiversity in which a person has difficulties with inattention and hyperactivity. As our understanding of ADHD grows through research, there is continuing discussion about whether the current label fully captures the experience.
Learn more here.
PDA
Pathological Demand Avoidance (or Persistent Drive for Autonomy) is not clinically recognised as a separate condition in the UK, so it cannot be diagnosed on its own. Instead, some individuals are diagnosed as autistic and described as having a “PDA profile.”.
Learn more here.
Autism
Autism is a type of neurodiversity in which a person has difficulties with communication, rigid thinking and sensory aspects of life.
Autism is sometimes referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There is ongoing debate about the use of this label.
Learn more here.
DLA & PIP
Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independent Payments are financial supports provided by the government.
DLA can be claimed for children up to the age of 16 years, after which time the young person will need to move over to PIP.
Learn more here.