Diagnosing or Determining Additional Needs

Diagnosis of additional needs often involves multidisciplinary teams who can look at various factors such as physical, emotional, social, and behavioural aspects of an individual.
Medical professionals, including paediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, play significant roles in diagnosing additional needs.
A thorough patient history is taken, including a clear understanding of the individual’s behaviour, emotional state, interaction with others, and other factors over a certain period.
Special educational needs (SEN) assessments might take place, which could involve various standardised tests to evaluate aspects such as learning capabilities, memory, concentration, and social interaction skills.
Various diagnostic tests might be used depending on the suspected additional need. These could involve blood tests, imaging studies, genetic testing, neuropsychological tests, or screenings for specific disorders or conditions.
An important part of diagnosing additional needs is the involvement of parents, caregivers or teachers, who can provide valuable insights into the individual’s behaviours, struggles, and strengths in different settings.
The diagnostic process can be time-consuming and complex as it often involves ruling out other conditions and ensuring that the diagnosis is accurate.
Once a diagnosis is made, the individual would typically be assessed to determine the level of support needed. This is often done through care planning and coordination with a team of health and social care professionals.

Next, we’ll look at “Evaluating Methods of Support for Individuals With Additional Needs”:

Different methods of support can include personalised learning plans, one-on-one or group therapy, medication (if necessary), assistive technology, and adaptations to living or learning environments.
The effectiveness of support is constantly assessed and monitored by relevant professionals, and adjustments are made according to the individual’s progress or needs.
Different methods of support will be more effective depending on the individual’s needs, personal preferences, and other factors such as their age, personal situation, and level of disability.
Involving the individual with additional needs (where appropriate) and their families in decision-making regarding support methods can lead to more effective and tailored support.
Multi-agency working is extremely important in providing effective support. This involves different professionals like teachers, health workers, social workers, and therapists coordinating and communicating to provide seamless and integrated support.
The ultimate goals when providing support are to promote the independence, happiness, and well-being of people with additional needs, and to help them achieve their potential and live full lives.