SEND support

Play that meets your child
where they are

Every child develops in their own way and at their own pace. If your toddler has additional needs — diagnosed or suspected — these activities are designed to support their development through play, not pressure.

Explore the four areas Back to Development Guide

Aligned with the SEND Code of Practice — applied through everyday play

The four broad areas of need

Cognition and LearningSupports children with learning difficulties or processing differences.71 activities Communication and InteractionSupports children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), including those on the autism spectrum.165 activities Sensory and/or Physical NeedsSupports children with sensory processing differences, physical disabilities, or motor difficulties.197 activities Social, Emotional and Mental HealthSupports children experiencing challenges with emotional regulation, attention, anxiety, or attachment.181 activities

What is SEND?

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. In England, over 1.6 million children have SEND. The four areas below come from the SEND Code of Practice — the framework used by schools, nurseries, and health professionals across England.

Play, not therapy

These are play activities, not clinical programmes. They are designed to support your child’s development in a warm, low-pressure way. They do not replace professional support from a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, or paediatrician.

A note on language

Some families prefer identity-first language (‘autistic child’), others prefer person-first (‘child with autism’). Both are valid. We use both throughout this guide. What matters most is how your child and family feel comfortable.

When to seek support

If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak to your health visitor, GP, or nursery SENCO. Early support makes a real difference — not because anything is wrong, but because the right help at the right time builds confidence for everyone.

Early intervention: what it is and why it works

Early intervention is the support that children with developmental needs receive in their first few years — speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, specialist nursery support, and family guidance. The research is consistent: support that starts before age five has the largest long-term impact, because the toddler years are when the brain is most flexible and responsive to learning. In England, your health visitor, GP, or nursery SENCO can begin the referral process. In other countries, look up your local equivalent — most have an early intervention programme for children under five.

Trust your gut — don’t ‘wait and see’

If you have a feeling something needs more support, you are usually right to act on it. Decades of research from the CDC, AAP, and Zero to Three converge on one message: earlier support always helps, and there is no downside to seeking advice early. Even if your concern turns out to be nothing, the conversation builds your confidence as a parent. If it turns out to be something, you have gained months of valuable support time. Speaking to a professional is not a diagnosis — it is information.