SEND support
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The official guide to special educational needs and disabilities for families in England.
NHS guidance on getting support for children with additional needs.
A charity for families with disabled children — helpline, local groups, and practical support.
Free legally-based advice for families navigating SEN support and EHC plans.
Support for parents on child behaviour, development, and safeguarding — including Talk PANTS with SEND-friendly resources.
Want to find an activity?
Use Find an Activity to filter for activities suited to your child's needs — matched to the time, space, and energy you have.
Go to Find an ActivityBack to the bigger picture
See all skill areas, age stages, and developmental context in one place.
Explore the Development Guide