The Special Educational Needs Advice Centre (SENAC) is a registered charity providing services across Northern Ireland, supporting over 1,000 families of children and young people with special needs and disability each year. 

SENAC provides free and independent information, advice and advocacy to help children and young people up to the age of 19 get the additional and specialist help they need to learn and access school. 

This includes, for example children with autism, ADHD, physical or sensory difficulties, developmental delay or speech and language difficulties. Any child or young person who requires help to learn or access school is defined as having a special educational need. The Charity’s primary aim is to advance the education of the children and young people, promote and safeguard their right to education and empower and inform their parents to support their child’s education.

Getting the right special needs support can transform a child’s educational experience and opportunity, their needs are understood and appropriately provided for. 

Securing the education provision required brings a range of positive impacts for the children including for example:

•    Reduction in anxiety
•    Increased school attendance
•    Increase in self-esteem and confidence
•    Children more engaged in their learning
•    Educational targets met
•    Reduced stress on the family