51����

It’s important to understand the unique challenges that students face at school and how tailored SEND support might benefit them. In this article, we take a look into cognition and learning difficulties, including information on the forms it may take, characteristics of students with cognition and learning difficulties, and how schools can support students with such needs.  

What are SEN cognition and learning difficulties? 

Cognition and learning difficulties refer to a range of challenges that affect a child’s ability to understand and acquire knowledge. It can present in different ways but negatively impacts a child’s ability to learn. In some cases, it may only impact certain areas of learning and development – not all– such as reading, spelling and mental arithmetic. 

Cognition difficulties involve mental processes, including difficulties with thinking, understanding and learning. Learning difficulties are challenges which impacts a child’s ability to learn new things, develop skills and achieve age-appropriate learning standards.  

Examples of cognition and learning difficulties 

• Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) - affecting specific aspects of learning, such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Dyspraxia 

• Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) - children may learn at a slower pace and require additional support 

• Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) - SLD can affect multiple areas of learning. Children with SLD will usually require significant support and specialised learning methods 

• Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) - severe and complex learning difficulties. This is often seen in conjunction with other physical disabilities or sensory impairments 

Characteristics of SEN cognition and learning difficulties 

Not all children with cognition and learning difficulties will display all characteristics, but examples to look out for include: 

• Learning at a slower pace than their peers 

• Difficulty acquiring new skills 

• Low levels of attainment in certain subjects 

• Struggles with problem solving 

• Difficulty with literacy skills such as reading, writing and spelling 

• Difficulty with numeracy skills 

• Struggles to concentrate beyond the norm 

• Memory issues beyond the norm 

• Difficulty with comprehension 

• Difficulty with processing information, such as sequencing, inference and elaboration 

Strategies for supporting SEN cognition and learning difficulties 

Ultimately, students with cognition and learning difficulties will likely need support from the school’s SENCO who can create a personalised provision plan. However, some of the strategies that can be implemented to support students include: 

• Chunking and sequencing tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps to help students with comprehension difficulties 

• Visual supports to enhance understanding and memory 

• Tailored teaching methods to better suit individual learners, as directed by the SENCO 

• Offering extra time for tasks to allow for cognitive difficulties 

• Make learning more engaging with sensory approaches 

• Adjust the learning environment to minimise distractions and maximise engagement 

• Try experiential learning with hands-on tasks such as experiments or field trips 

• Repetition may help students improve cognitive skills 

• Pre- and post- teaching of concepts to secure knowledge 

Plan cognition and learning difficulty provisions with Tes Provision Map  

Tes Provision Map is a smart provision mapping software that allows SENCOs to easily and efficiently plan and keep on top of SEND provisions. It’s a powerful yet simple to use tool that makes everyday actions for SENCOs more efficient, leading to improved outcomes for students.