SEMH stands for social, emotional and mental health. Living autism describes SEMH needs as 'a type of special educational need where a child communicates through behaviour in response to unmet social, emotional or mental health needs.

Children with SEMH needs often have difficulties in managing their emotions or their behaviour. They can show inappropriate responses to their emotions. They can feel scared, anxious and misunderstood', it is important to remember that these needs are not limited to children diagnosed with autism. They can affect children for a range of reasons.