SENCOs, Educational Psychologists & OTs: A Parent's Guide to Special Needs Support
- More Curricular
- Mar 27
- 6 min read
Updated: 19 minutes ago
When your child experiences special needs challenges in their educational journey, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Educational Psychologists, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and Occupational Therapists each play vital but distinct roles in supporting children with special needs. This guide aims to clarify these roles to help you navigate the special needs support system for your child.
What Is a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)?
A SENCO is a qualified teacher with additional training who coordinates the provision for children with special educational needs within a school.
How SENCOs Differ from Educational Psychologists:
Qualification: SENCOs are teachers with specialised training in special needs, whereas Educational Psychologists have postgraduate qualifications in psychology
Scope: SENCOs work exclusively within their school, while EPs often work across multiple settings to support special needs
Role: SENCOs coordinate day-to-day special needs support, while EPs provide specialised assessment and intervention recommendations
Access: Your child's SENCO is your first point of contact within the school system for any concerns about your child's special educational needs
What Do SENCOs Do?
SENCOs are responsible for:
Coordinating special educational needs provision within their school
Liaising with parents and external professionals about special needs support
Advising other teachers on approaches to support children with special educational needs
Maintaining records of children with special educational needs
Implementing and monitoring special needs interventions
Referring to specialists like Educational Psychologists when necessary
What Is an Educational Psychologist?
An Educational Psychologist (EP or EdPsych) is a qualified professional with specialist expertise in child and adolescent development, learning processes and education systems. The title is legally protected and requires specific qualifications and training to work with children who have special needs.
What Do Educational Psychologists Do?
Educational Psychologists work to identify and address barriers to learning for children with special needs through:
Assessment and diagnosis of specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia
Observation of children with special needs in various educational settings
Consultation with teachers, parents and other professionals about special needs support
Development of strategies to support children's special educational, socialband emotional needs
Contribution to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children requiring additional special needs support
Assessment Tools: Explained Simply
Educational Psychologists use different tests to understand how your child with special needs thinks, learns and processes information. Here's what these tests actually measure, explained simply:
British Ability Scales (BAS): Think of this as a toolbox of mini-tests that measure different thinking skills. It looks at how you process information, solve problems, remember things and understand words and numbers. It helps identify your specific strengths and challenges.
Wechsler Assessment Scales: These are a family of tests with specific versions for different skills:
WISC: Measures overall intelligence and thinking abilities
WORD: Looks at reading skills
WOLD: Examines language development and understanding
WOND: Focuses on number skills and math abilities
WASI: A shorter version that gives a quick snapshot of thinking skills
Neuro-psychological Assessment (NEPSY): This test looks at how your brain functions in different areas like attention, memory, language and social perception. It's particularly useful for understanding developmental difficulties.
BRIEF Inventory: This isn't a test you take, but a questionnaire for parents and teachers about how you handle planning, organisation, emotional control and staying focused on tasks.
GARS and CARS Scales: These are specifically designed to identify autism spectrum characteristics by looking at communication, social interaction and behavioural patterns.
Conner's Rating Scales: These help identify ADHD symptoms by asking about attention, hyperactivity and behaviour in different settings.
Vineland Scales and ABAS Scales: These measure everyday life skills like communication, self-care, social skills and how you function in daily activities.
What Educational Psychologists Can Diagnose
Educational Psychologists are specifically trained to diagnose:
Dyslexia: A learning difference that affects reading and language processing. People with dyslexia might struggle with reading fluently, spelling or connecting letters with their sounds.
Dyspraxia: A condition affecting physical coordination and movement planning. This might make handwriting, sports or other physical activities more challenging.
Dyscalculia: A specific learning difference with numbers and math concepts. People with dyscalculia might have trouble understanding number relationships, learning math facts or developing calculation strategies.
These diagnoses aren't just labels – they help identify the right special needs support strategies to help your child learn in ways that work best for their brain.
When Might Your Child Need an Educational Psychologist?
Consider consulting an Educational Psychologist if your child with special needs:
Shows persistent learning difficulties despite standard classroom interventions
Displays significant differences between their ability and achievement
Exhibits behavioural or emotional challenges that impact their learning
Has developmental concerns that affect their educational progress
Requires formal assessment for conditions like dyslexia or dyscalculia
What Is an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist (OT) specialises in helping people with special needs develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for daily living and learning.
How Occupational Therapists Differ from Educational Psychologists:
Focus: OTs concentrate on physical, sensory and practical skills for children with special needs, while EPs address cognitive, emotional, and learning needs
Approach: OTs often work directly on skills development through hands-on therapy, while EPs typically assess and recommend strategies
Expertise: OTs have specialised knowledge of sensory processing, motor skills and adaptive technologies for special needs support
What Do Occupational Therapists Do in Education?
In educational settings, Occupational Therapists help children with special needs with:
Fine motor skills (writing, using scissors, buttoning)
Gross motor skills (coordination, balance)
Sensory processing issues
Self-care and independence skills
Adapting environments to accommodate physical needs
Recommending assistive technologies and equipment
The Collaborative Approach to Special Needs Support
These professionals often work together to support children with special needs:
Your child's SENCO might identify initial special educational needs concerns and coordinate school-based support
An Educational Psychologist might assess your child's learning needs and recommend appropriate special needs interventions
An Occupational Therapist might help implement practical strategies to address physical or sensory barriers to learning for children with special needs
Other Professionals Who May Support Your Child
While SENCOs, Educational Psychologists and Occupational Therapists play central roles in supporting children with special needs, your child may benefit from other specialists depending on their specific requirements.
Speech and Language Therapists are crucial for children with communication difficulties, helping with everything from speech clarity to social interaction skills. Paediatricians often coordinate medical aspects of care and may diagnose conditions like ADHD. For emotional and behavioural challenges, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provide specialised support. Children with physical disabilities might work with Physiotherapists to improve movement and mobility. Within the classroom, Teaching Assistants provide day-to-day support under the guidance of teachers and SENCOs.
Remember that support should be tailored to your child's individual needs, and the professionals involved will depend on their specific challenges and strengths. Your SENCO can help coordinate these various services and ensure a cohesive approach to your child's support.
How to Access Special Needs Support
Start with your child's teacher or SENCO to discuss your special needs concerns
Request a referral to an Educational Psychologist through your school or local authority (waiting times vary significantly)
Consider private assessment if you prefer not to wait for local authority special needs services
Explore whether an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) might be appropriate for your child if they need special needs support beyond what the school can normally provide
What to Expect from an Educational Psychology Assessment for Special Needs
A typical assessment involves:
Information gathering from parents and teachers about special needs concerns
Observation of your child with special needs in different settings
Direct assessment using standardised tools designed for special educational needs
A comprehensive report with findings and recommendations for special needs support
A follow-up meeting to discuss special needs support strategies
Final Thoughts
Understanding the distinct roles of Educational Psychologists, SENCOs, and Occupational Therapists can help you navigate the special needs support system more effectively. Remember that these professionals share a common goal: to help your child with special needs overcome barriers to learning and reach their full potential.
By working collaboratively with these specialists and maintaining open communication, you can ensure your child receives the right special needs support at the right time. Don't hesitate to ask questions and advocate for your child's special educational needs throughout the process.
More-Curricular Support Options
Beyond the core educational support services, many children with special needs benefit from targeted extra-curricular programmes that complement formal interventions. More Curricular offers specialised handwriting courses, writing workshops focusing on grammar and general writing abilities, academic prose development, and study skills workshops that develop effective learning strategies for children with special needs.
If your child has been identified with specific learning needs, consider exploring these supplementary options to reinforce their development.
This blog post is intended as a general guide to special needs support. Services may vary by location, and individual professionals may have different areas of specialisation.
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