What is the difference between disability and special needs

Children at certain points in their life will need extra support with their learning at certain points in their life. The Children and Families Act explains that a child or young person has special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability, which means they need special educational support because they:. A disability is defined under the Equality Act as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

Substantial is more than a small or minor impact. For example, it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed. So what do we have here? According to dictionary. The special educational requirements of those with learning difficulties, emotional or behavioral problems, or physical disabilities. So it appears that they are educational requirements. Cool, that works, we can do this. Many kids without disabilities are on the special needs track in school; many people with special needs do not have a disability.

Many people with a disability do not have special needs. We all learn in unique ways; we all have needs that are special unto ourselves! We are the ones that give words their power, after all. We transform it. And we have that power, you know. Some disabled children and young people do not have special educational needs. There is a lot of overlap between the two groups though. Read the legislation Children and Families Act Chapter 6, Part 3 A child or young person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Research suggests that about six to seven percent of children are disabled. Children and young people with the most complex needs will require specialist services.

They will require support with their health, education or physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development, due to disabilities. There is support available for children and young people who have disabilities which do not affect their ability to learn.