21/08/2026
Understanding the Jargon That Matters
If you’re supporting a child with dyslexia or any specific learning difficulty, the school paperwork can feel like a whole new language. SpLD, SENCO, EHCP… it’s easy to feel lost before you’ve even started.
Here’s the truth: once you understand the terms, you feel far more confident walking into meetings, asking questions, and advocating for your child.
SpLD is simply the umbrella for needs like dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.
A SENCO is the person in school who coordinates support.
An EHCP is the legal plan for children who need provision beyond what school can offer alone.
Access arrangements help level the playing field in exams.
Working memory affects how much information a child can hold and use at once.
When you know the language, you can speak up, ask for clarity, and make sure your child gets what they need.
Save this for your next school meeting - it’s amazing how much calmer everything feels when the jargon finally makes sense.
