Special needs resources - a guide to the web

 

A-Z of specific conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder: ADDISS - information and support

Angelman Syndrome Support Education and Research Trust - information, helpline, newsletter

Autism and Asperger syndrome

Cerebral palsy and hemiplegia

  • CP Sport England - promotes sport and physical recreational opportunities for people with a disability, especially cerebral palsy
  • HemiHelp - support for children and young people with hemiplegia (hemiparesis)
  • Scope - helpline and factsheets for parents

Cockayne Syndrome: Amy and friends - support and information for parents

Cystic Fibrosis Trust - information, advice, support and funding

Down Syndrome

Dyslexia-SpLD Trust (The) - a collaboration of voluntary and community organisations funded by the Dept of Education to help children with Dyslexia/ SpLD succeed in school

Dyspraxia Foundation - books, suggestions, a teen newsletter, and an adult support group

Epilepsy

Fragile X Society - support, information and helplines for families, plus promotion of research

Klinefelter's Syndrome Association UK - information and support

Rett UK - information and support

Sickle Cell Society - information and counselling

Spina bifida and hydrocephalus: Shine - information and advice, including a helpline

Tourettes Action - information and support

Turner Syndrome Support Society - information and support

 

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General

Brain injuries and conditions

Child Growth Foundation - information about conditions causing growth problems

Climb - information for families of children living with inherited metabolic conditions

Chromosome disorders

  • SOFT - support for families affected by Patau's syndrome, Edwards syndrome, partial Trisomy, mosaicism and related disorders
  • Unique - information, networking and support for anyone affected by a rare chromosome disorder, their families and the professionals who work with them

Genetic Alliance - alliance of charities supporting children and families affected by genetic disorders

Hearing impairments

Heartline - support and help for children with congenital heart conditions and their families

Learning difficulties / disabilities and special educational needs

  • Easyhealth - accessible health information for parents, supporters and carers of people with learning disabilities, and people with milder learning disabilities themselves
  • HE Special - for families who home educate children with special educational needs
  • Mencap - support and information for families and carers of children with a learning disability
  • National Parent Partnership Network - statutory services offering support to parents and carers
  • Netbuddy - tips and bright ideas from parents, carers, teachers and therapists
  • Partnership with Parents - advice for parents
  • SOS!SEN - free confidential telephone helpline for people looking for information, advice and support
  • Special Educational Needs Advice Centre - (SENAC) confidential advice line for parents looking for information on statutory special educational needs provision in Northern Ireland

Limb conditions

  • REACH - support and advice for children with hand or arm deficiencies, and their parents
  • Steps - support for parents of children affected by lower limb conditions

Speech and language impairments

  • Afasic - supports children with speech, language and communication impairments
  • I CAN - supports speech, language and communication development in children
  • Signalong - provides resources and training in visual communication for children with communication difficulties

Visual impairments

 

Other things you might like

Resources

Befriending

Education

  • CReSTed - register of schools which provide support for children with specific learning difficulties
  • IPSEA - provides free legally based education advice

Equipment and grants

  • Department for Work and Pensions - benefits information
  • Disability Grants - guide to different grants available
  • Family fund - offers grants to families with severely disabled or ill children aged 17 and under to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life
  • Fledglings - identifies and supplies practical, affordable products to help with everyday life
  • Kidz Events - free exhibitions showcasing products and services to enhance independent living
  • Living made easy - practical advice from occupational therapists about equipment for children and young people with disabilities
  • New Life - information and grant services for funding equipment
  • Totally Yours - a directory of useful resources for parents
  • Whizz-Kidz - provides mobility equipment, training and advice

Experiences and opportunities

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  • Daytrippers - helps children with disabilities, life-limiting or terminal illnesses enjoy experiences that might otherwise not be available to them
  • Disability Sport Events - support and promotes opportunities for disabled people with all impairments to take part in sporting events
  • English Federation of Disability Sport - national charity for developing sport for disabled people in England.
  • Hop, Skip and Jump - play and support centre in Bristol for children with special needs
  • Kangaroos - runs activities in Mid Sussex for children and young adults with learning disabilities
  • Sense Toys- educational toys and games for children with special needs

Other

  • Office for Disability Issues - A-Z of government departments and disability organisations
  • Ouch! - blogs, news, features, information, podcasts from the BBC
  • Potential Plus UK - information on support for families with children who are gifted, and have a disability or learning difficulties
  • Sibs - charity for people who grow up with a disabled sibling or parent
  • Special Kids in the UK - contact, information and support for families

Professionals

 

Other

  • Bliss - support and care to families of premature and sick babies across the UK
  • Child Death Helpline- for anyone affected by the death of a child, from prebirth to adult
  • Children's Hospices UK - hospice care and services for children and young people
  • Makaton - for anyone interested in Makaton sign language
  • SNAP Childcare - specialist recruitment agency for special needs nannies and care workers
  • Young Minds - works to improve young people's mental health; information and helpline for parents