Sensory & Physical Needs in SEND
What are sensory and physical needs in SEND?
Sensory and physical needs are one of the four broad areas of need that can affect learners with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Learners with these kinds of needs have physical disabilities or sensory impairments that make learning, moving around, or interacting with the environment more challenging.
These needs can affect reading, communication, participation in practical activities, or social interaction.
What are the signs a learner has sensory or physical needs?
Some learners may show one or more of these signs:
Difficulty seeing or hearing information clearly
Struggling with fine or gross motor skills (writing, using equipment, moving around the classroom)
Sensory processing difficulties, such as sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or textures
Challenges participating in practical or physical activities
Fatigue or frustration when tasks require physical effort
Early recognition allows tutors to adapt lessons and learning spaces so learners can participate fully and safely.
What conditions are commonly associated with sensory and physical needs?
Visual impairments – partial sight or blindness
Hearing impairments – partial hearing loss or deafness
Physical disabilities – affecting mobility, coordination, or strength
Sensory processing difficulties – challenges interpreting sensory information
Learners may have overlapping needs with other SEND areas, such as cognition or SEMH, so a flexible approach to support is important.
How can you support learners with sensory or physical needs?
Adapt learning materials – use large print, braille, captions, or visual aids
Ensure physical accessibility – ramps, lifts, adapted seating, or ergonomic equipment
Offer assistive technology – screen readers, speech-to-text, or specialised keyboards
Adjust tasks – allow extra time or alternative ways to demonstrate learning
Encouraging inclusion is also a big factor here in improving learners’ confidence. Try to encourage peer support through collaborative learning, and we have a range of Peerscroller videos on different SEND needs to help learners feel included and to educate others.
Peerscroller resources for sensory or physical needs
We have videos that support learners in understanding sensory or physical differences, promoting inclusion and awareness among peers, while also offering learners insight into their own experiences. Some of our related videos explore:
Hearing differences – experiences of learners with hearing challenges and awareness for classmates.
Assistive tools and guide dogs –examples of devices and support aids learners may use.
Visible vs Non-visible disabilities – how some disabilities are not always obvious and treating everybody with respect
You can explore some of this content in our Deaf Awareness Week resource pack, but if you’d like to learn more about our content featured exclusively on the Peerscroller platform, you can make an enquiry about accessing Peerscroller here.