Why weak wording fails
Decision-makers read thousands of forms. Phrases like "she struggles" or "he has meltdowns" don't show what help is needed, how often, how long, or what the risk is. Replace vague summaries with the rich detail below.
Side-by-side rewrites
"She struggles with mornings"
Why it's weak: Doesn't show what help is needed or how long it takes.
Stronger wording:
Every school morning she needs 40–60 minutes of step-by-step prompting to get out of bed, wash, dress and leave the house. I have to stay with her, repeat instructions, reduce sensory triggers and physically bring items to her. Without this she stays in bed, cries, refuses clothing and cannot get ready.
"He has meltdowns"
Why it's weak: No frequency, risk or supervision detail.
Stronger wording:
He has distressed meltdowns around 4–5 times a week, usually triggered by unexpected changes, noise or demands. During these episodes he loses awareness of danger, screams, hits walls, throws objects and may run from the room. He needs one-to-one adult supervision for 20–60 minutes to keep him and others safe.
"She is fussy with food"
Why it's weak: Sounds like normal preference.
Stronger wording:
She has restricted eating linked to sensory distress. She will gag, cry or refuse food if texture, smell or brand changes. I have to prepare safe foods separately, prompt her to eat, monitor intake and manage distress. Without this she may eat very little all day.
"He is bad near roads"
Why it's weak: Too vague and judgemental.
Stronger wording:
He has poor danger awareness and impulsively steps into roads or car parks without checking. He needs hand-holding or close adult supervision within arm's reach whenever outdoors. He does not reliably respond to verbal instructions when anxious or distracted.
"She does not sleep well"
Why it's weak: Doesn't show night care.
Stronger wording:
She wakes on average 5 nights a week, usually 2–4 times a night. She needs reassurance, settling, toileting support and supervision because she becomes disorientated and distressed. Each waking takes around 15–45 minutes.
"He needs help at school"
Why it's weak: Doesn't say what kind of help.
Stronger wording:
At school he needs adult prompting for transitions, toileting, eating, communication and staying safe. He struggles to follow multi-step instructions, becomes overwhelmed in busy areas and may leave the classroom.
Vague-to-strong vocabulary swaps
| Vague phrase | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Sometimes | Say how often: 2 days a week, most days, every transition, 4 nights a week |
| A bit | Use minutes, distances, number of prompts |
| When he wants | Explain what triggers it and what happens without help |
| Quite often | 3–5 times a week, daily, several times an hour |
| Can be difficult | Explain what the difficulty looks like in real life |
Information only — not legal advice. Always be honest and use evidence from your own child.