Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis
Background Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) and Polymyositis (JPM) are rare ‘autoimmune’ diseases. The immune system is a group of cells that usually protect the body from infection. In an autoimmune disease...
Background Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) and Polymyositis (JPM) are rare ‘autoimmune’ diseases. The immune system is a group of cells that usually protect the body from infection. In an autoimmune disease...
This applies in England only. Contact’s Chief Executive Anna Bird has given evidence to the Public Accounts Committee about families’ experiences of school transport. The Committee is carrying out an inquiry...
A parent is calling on NHS England to revise a policy that bars parents from ordering vital medication for their child when they turn 11 years old. Under the policy,...
Contact is calling for Universal Credit fixes, social energy tariffs and investment in disabled children’s services ahead of the chancellor’s spring spending review. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out spending...
A review of the law on disabled children’s social care in England has been commenced by the Law Commission on request of the Department for Education, a move that Contact...
Child Disability Payment is the new benefit for children aged under 16 in Scotland, replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in Scotland. Now our expert advisers have written a comprehensive guide...
In the last 12 months there has been a 21% increase in calls to Contact’s helpline about exclusions of disabled children from schools. Of particular concern is that younger children...
Today, our Change Makers Jasmin and Lauran speak out in the Metro newspaper about the lack of holiday clubs for disabled children this summer. ‘Holiday clubs are generally markerted towards...
Background Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, genetic neuromuscular condition causing progressive muscle wasting (atrophy) and weakness leading to loss of movement. Approximately one in every 10,000 babies worldwide are born with a Type...
Yesterday parents from across England met in parliament to urge the government to boost support in school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Ben Maguire, MP for...
A damning parliamentary report has called on the government to take urgent action to end the ‘crisis in access’ in NHS dentistry. Children, especially those with complex needs, SEND and...
Yesterday in Westminster Hall MPs debated the SEND education system in England, both the current state of crisis it is in, and the risks and opportunities the government’s forthcoming reforms...
Also known as: Cerebral Gigantism in Childhood Background In this rare syndrome, babies are generally significantly larger and heavier than average caused by excessive prenatal (before birth) and early post-natal...
Background Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory disorder affecting the brain (enceph-) and/or spinal cord (myelitis). It is a rare condition mostly affecting children and is usually monophasic meaning...
Children who are autistic or have a learning disability are more likely to be given psychiatric medication to regulate their behaviour or mood, but parent carers often worry about whether...
Universal Credit poster in window
Clinically at-risk children aged six months to four years old can will soon be able to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Eligible children include those with underlying medical conditions and those...
This news story is for families in Northern Ireland only. If your child has a statement of SEN, please see our Education in NI pages as the process is different....