Graduated Approach - Sensory and physical needs

This is a medically identified physical disability which limits a person’s:

• physical functioning
• mobility
• dexterity
• stamina

The child or young person's level of physical functioning will be a cause of concern and have an impact on their access to the curriculum and their ability to be fully involved in learning and social activities.

Examples of long term conditions include: 

• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Achondroplasia
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones)

Individuals learn and progress at different rates and times. If progress is much slower than other people, slower than previously or appears to cease, then this should be immediately investigated and supported through an ‘assess, plan, do, review review’ process.

Read more about physical disability

This is a medically diagnosed hearing impairment which is permanent and/or necessitates the use of amplification equipment.

If a child/young person presents with amplification hearing devices, this indicates they have been assessed for a hearing loss. They are likely to have an audiogram which will help define their level of hearing loss.

Read more about hearing impairment

A long term, medically defined, vision impairment that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses; including visual processing difficulties such as Cerebral Visual Impairment.

The child or young person's impairment has an impact on their access to the curriculum and on their ability to be fully involved in learning and social activities.

Read more about vision impairment

This is where someone has loss to both their distance senses hearing and vision. They may also have neurological differences and additional difficulties which cause them to function as if they have significant sensory impairment/s.

An impairment of both distance senses has an exponential impact on a child or young person's development. All children or young people  with a dual loss will have difficulties in the three important areas of

• communication
• gaining of information
• orientation and mobility

Individuals learn and progress at different rates and times.

Read more about multi-sensory impairment