Allergies
The British Allergy Foundation encompasses all types of allergy, including asthma, nuts, eczema, seafood and hay fever, and offers advice to anyone concerned about any allergies. It has leaflets on allergy testing, and factsheets on topics including eczema and diet, egg allergy, and a school guide to peanut protocol. The Foundation also has an allergy helpline from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday, on 020 8303 8583.
Contact the British Allergy Foundation, Deepdene House, 30 Bellegrove Road, Welling, Kent DA16 3PY (020 8303 8525, fax 020 8303 8792, website www.allergyfoundation.com).
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction where the whole body is affected - usually within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but sometimes after a few hours. Causes include food such as peanuts, insect stings and drugs. The Anaphylaxis Campaign offers support and guidance, and is dedicated to raising awareness further in the food industry as well as seeking to ensure the medical profession offers the best medical advice to patients. It has information on topics including avoiding foods that trigger anaphylaxis, referral to an allergy clinic, and peanut oil.
Contact the Anaphylaxis Campaign, PO Box 275, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6SX (01252 542029, fax 01252 377140, website www.anaphylaxis.org.uk).
Asthma
The National Asthma Campaign works to conquer asthma, in partnership with people who have asthma and all who share its concern, through research, education and support. It publishes a range of educational and support materials for young children and schools, and has a Junior Asthma Club for children aged four to 12 who have asthma. Asthma nurse specialists can be contacted on the campaign's asthma helpline on 08457 010203, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 7pm. Calls are charged at local rates.
Contact the National Asthma Campaign, Providence House, Providence Place, London N1 ONT (020 7226 2260, fax 020 7704 0740, website www.asthma.org.uk).
Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to people around them. People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world. There is also a condition called Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism used to describe people at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum.
The National Autistic Society runs courses and conferences suitable for childcare professionals. It also provides in-house teaching, tailored to meets the needs of an organisation.
Contact the National Autistic Society, Training Services Department, Fourth Floor, Castle Heights, 72 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham NG1 6BJ (0115 911 3363, fax 0115 911 3362, e-mail training@nas.org.uk,website www.oneworld.org/autism_uk).
Bedwetting
The Enuresis Resource and Information Centre (ERIC) is a national registered charity providing information and support on childhood bedwetting, daytime wetting and soiling. ERIC holds a database of NHS-run enuresis clinics around the country. It also has a pen-pal scheme, a quarterly newsletter and sells a wide range of useful literature, bedding protection and enuresis alarms.
ERIC provides resources and training for health professionals, and has a confidential helpline service on 0117 960 3060 from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Contact ERIC, 34 Old School House, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DB (0117 960 3060, fax 0117 960 0401, e-mail info@eric.org.uk,website www.eric.org.uk).
Bereavement
The Child Bereavement Trust provides training and support for professionals to improve their response to the needs of bereaved families. Training courses include:
* Loss, change and grief in primary school settings, on 5 March. This Inset day for primary schools aims to help teachers and others working with young children to respond to their needs and concerns.
* When a child grieves: Understanding children and young people, on 19 March. This course aims to increase professionals' understanding of children who have suffered grief.
* Handling challenging behaviour in children as a result of loss and grief, on 20 February and 22 May. This course aims to help professionals to support children who demonstrate difficult behaviour due to the loss or death of someone important to them.
* Literature and loss, on 7 May. This course is to help teachers, librarians and other staff to match the needs of children with the resources they use.
Contact the Child Bereavement Trust, Aston House, High Street, West Wycombe, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP14 3AG (01494 446648, fax 01494 440057, e-mail enquiries@child bereavement.org.uk, website www.child bereavement.org.uk).
Crisis Training Education Counselling (CRI-TEC) has day workshops on:
* Coping with sudden death and working with disastrous events.
Contact CRI-TEC Conference Office, Accident and Emergency Department, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX (0113 292 6498, fax 0113 292 2810).
Cerebral palsy
The Hornsey Trust runs one-week courses for childcare professionals interested in the Conductive Education system. It can also arrange shorter day courses introducing participants to the theory and practice of conductive education as applied to young children with cerebral palsy.
Day courses include:
* Information morning for parents. Topics include cerebral palsy, conductive education, and advice and support for children in mainstream education.
* A child with cerebral palsy in the classroom. This course is for teachers, learning support assistants and SENCOs.
* Key Stage 1 literacy and the child with cerebral palsy in the classroom. A follow-up to the course A child with cerebral palsy in the classroom.
Contact the Hornsey Trust, 54 Muswell Hill, London N10 3ST (020 8444 7242, fax 020 8444 7241, e-mail info@ hornseytrust.org.uk, website www.hcec.org.uk).
Cleft Lip
One in every 600 to 700 children in the UK is born with a cleft of the lip or the palate. The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is a partnership between parents and health professionals that provides support for new parents, and for people with the condition and their families, from infancy through to adulthood. There are now 40 CLAPA groups in the UK. Among their key functions are running a specialist service for parents and health professionals seeking help feeding babies with clefts, developing support for children affected by clefts, and supporting research into the causes and treatment of cleft lip and palate.
Contact CLAPA, Third Floor, 235-237 Finchley Road, London NW3 6LS (020 7431 0033, fax 020 7431 8881, e-mail info@clapa.com,websitewww.clapa.com).
Deafblindness
The charity Sense offers a wide range of specialist services across the UK to help sensory-impaired people of all ages to reach their full potential despite the many challenges facing them. It also produces specialist publications on topics including deafblindness, Usher Syndrome, and equipment catalogues.
Contact Sense, 11-13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3SR (020 7272 7774, fax 020 7272 6012, e-mail enquiries@sense.org.uk,website www.sense.org.uk).
Diabetes
In the UK someone is diagnosed with diabetes every five minutes. Diabetes UK publishes a range of booklets for the parents and carers of children who have diabetes.
If you would like a speaker to visit your setting, ring 020 7462 2652. Diabetes UK has a Careline on 020 7636 6112, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. It also has an information team for research-based enquiries on 020 7462 2601.
Contact Diabetes UK, 10 Queen Anne Street, London W1G 9LH (020 7323 1531, fax 020 7637 3644, website www.diabetes. org.uk). It also has offices in Scotland (0141 332 2700), Warrington (01925 653281), Walsall (01922 614500), Darlington (01325 488606), Northern Ireland (028 9066 6646) and Wales (029 2066 8276).
Dyslexia
The British Dyslexia Association organises conferences for families, dyslexic people of all ages, school governors, teachers and other professionals at local, regional and national levels. It has produced an early years training pack, Language and literacy: Joining together, which consists of four two-hour sessions and is designed to enable early years practitioners to work effectively with each other and with parents in order to identify and support children with speech, language and literacy difficulties.
Contact the British Dyslexia Association, 98 London Road, Reading RG1 5AU (0118 966 2677, fax 0118 935 1927, helpline 0118 966 8271, e-mail admin@ bda-dyslexia.demon.co.uk, website www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk).
Eczema
The term 'eczema' is used to describe a number of skin conditions that show common symptoms, including inflammation of the skin, dryness, flaking and sometimes the formation of blisters. Eczema can be intensely itchy, and is estimated to affect one in eight children. The causes of eczema are unknown, but the National Eczema Society can provide advice on a number of self-help measures to help keep eczema under control.
Contact the National Eczema Society, Hill House, Highgate Hill, London N19 5NA (020 7281 3553, fax 020 7281 6395, helpline Monday to Friday from 1 to 4pm on 0870 241 3604, website www.eczema.org).
Emotional and behavioural difficulties
The Association of Workers for Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (AWCEBD) holds workshops on topics including:
* Communication, emotion and behaviour.
* Beyond behaviour management.
Contact Allan Rimmer, AWCEBD, Charlton Court, East Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3DQ (01622 843104, fax 01622 844220, e-mail awcebd@mistral. co.uk, website www.awcebd.co.uk).
Epilepsy
The National Society for Epilepsy runs:
* Half-day seminars from 1.30 to 4.30pm each month at its headquarters which give a basic introduction to epilepsy and an update on the latest information. Contact the Society for dates but note bookings must be in writing.
* Tailor-made half-day and day seminars, which include presentations on any aspect of epilepsy, including employment issues, classification and seizure management. A half-day costs 250 plus VAT and a day seminar costs Pounds 500 plus VAT.
The society also welcomes queries from Nursery World readers about training in epilepsy.
Contact Jennifer Hunt, Training and development manager, National Society for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 0RJ (01494 601300, fax 01494 871927, e-mail jenniferh@epilepsynse.co.uk,website www.epilepsynse.co.uk).
Fragile X
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of inherited learning disability. It affects boys and girls, and shows itself in a wide range of difficulties with learning and behaviour problems. A typical Fragile X boy is inattentive, easily distracted, impulsive and overactive. Girls are usually less affected than boys, but have similar attentional difficulties.
The Fragile X Society runs national conferences about the disability.
Contact the Fragile X Society, 53 Winchelsea Lane, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4LG (01424 813147, e-mail info@fragilex.k-web.co.uk,website www.fragilex.org.uk).
Hearing impairment
The National Deaf Children's Society runs conferences and workshops around the country for people working with hearing-impaired children. Its telephone helpline is 020 7250 0123.
Contact the National Deaf Children's Society, 15 Dufferin Street, London EC1Y 8PD (020 7490 8656, fax 020 7251 5020, website www.ndcs.org.uk). For Scottish events contact NDCS Scotland, 293-295 Central Chambers, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD (0141 248 2429, fax 0141 248 2597).
Language difficulties
An estimated five per cent of children under the age of five in Britain stammer. While most outgrow the condition without treatment, some 25 per cent don't and are left with a stammer into adulthood. The British Stammering Association (BSA) estimates that about 35,000 children across the UK are at risk of having a stammer in their adult lives and should be referred to a speech and language therapist.
The Association's helpline is 0845 603 2001.
Contact the British Stammering Association, 15 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PJ (020 8983 1003, fax 020 8983 3591, e-mail mail@ stammering.org, website www.stammering.org).
I CAN is the national educational charity for children who have speech and language difficulties. The I CAN Training Centre runs a wide range of one- and two-day courses and seminars for childcare professionals, teachers and learning support assistants working with language-impaired nursery-age and primary school children. These include:
* A musical approach to developing communication, a two-day course in London on 18 January (ref 549) and 22 March (ref 569).
* Supporting learning for children with speech and language impairments, in London on 21 January (ref 550).
* Teaching reading and spelling to pupils with specific learning difficulties at Key Stages 1 to 4, in London on 25 January (ref 552).
* Linking language targets to the curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2, in London on 30 January (ref 554).
* Practical ideas for the management of children with autistic spectrum difficulties in a school setting, in London, on 1 February (ref 555).
* A practical, multi-disciplinary approach to working with nursery-aged speech and language-impaired children, in Edinburgh on 1 February (ref 575).
* Learning language and loving it: The Hanen Programme for involving early childhood educators and teachers as language facilitators, in London on 5 to 8 February (ref 557).
* Dyspraxia: Working together towards effective practice, in London on 11 February (ref 558).
* Helping children with semantic and pragmatic language difficulties to learn and communicate in the classroom, in London on 12 February (ref 559).
* An introduction to autism and Asperger's Syndrome, in London on 27 February (ref 577).
* More than words: The Hanen Programme for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, in London on 6 to 8 March (ref 562).
* Communication in the classroom: A focus on expressive language impairment, in Edinburgh on 15 March (ref 564).
* National numeracy strategy for pupils with speech and language difficulties and/or special educational needs, in London on 19 March (ref 565).
* Autism: A social skills approach for children and adolescents, in London on 20 March (ref 567).
* Enabling pupils with speech and language difficulties to achieve through the national literacy strategy (Key Stages 1, 2 and 3), in London on 19 June (ref 509).
Contact the Training Administrator, The I CAN Training Centre, 4 Dyer's Building, Holborn, London EC1N 2QP (0870 010 7088, fax 0870 010 7089, e-mail training@ican.org.uk,website www.ican.org.uk).
The charity AFASIC helps children overcome speech and language disorders. It has a:
* Parents' conference, in Cardiff on 27 April.
Contact Carol Lingwood on 01273 381009, e-mail carol Learning disabilities
The British Institute for Learning Disabilities (BILD) is the leading organisation in the field of learning disabilities. It can provide information from its extensive library service, provide specifically-designed training for all staff who work with children who have learning disabilities and offers a wide range of publications.
Contact BILD, Campion House, Green Street, Wolverhampton Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 1JL (01562 850251, fax 01562 851970, website www.bild.org.uk).
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children, diagnosed in 450 children in the UK every year. Another 150 children develop lymphoma. About 70 per cent of childhood cancers are acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Most of the rest are acute myeloid leukaemias. Leukaemia represents one third of children's cancers overall. The majority of cases of ALL occur in children aged between two and five. Children are treated with intensive chemotherapy and follow-up therapy often lasting several years. However, survival is good, at almost 80 per cent for children with ALL and lymphoma.
The Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF) is the only national UK charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and investigating the causes and prevention of cancers of the blood and related conditions, in children and adults.
Contact the Leukaemia Research Fund, 43 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JJ (020 7405 0101, website www.lrf.org.uk).
Meningitis
The Meningitis Trust provides information and advice on meningitis - inflammation of the meninges, the linings surrounding the brain - and meningococcal septicaemia, which is blood poisoning caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and multiplying uncontrollably.
The Trust can arrange for staff to visit early years settings and give talks to nursery nurses and managers and parent groups which cover all aspects of the disease - particularly how to recognise the signs and symptoms.
The Trust provides specialist counselling, a home-visiting service and has a network of community groups throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. It has a 24-hour nurse-staffed helpline on 0845 6000 800.
Contact the Meningitis Trust, Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 3TJ (01453 768000, fax 01453 753588, e-mail info@meningitis-trust.org.uk,website www.meningitis-trust.org.uk). Its Scotland office is at 19 Hillfoot, Houston, Renfrewshire PA6 7NR (01505 322 466, also fax) and its Northern Ireland office is at 35 Thornhill Parade, Belfast BT55 7AT (028 9070 4020, also fax).
Multiple births
The Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) provides information and mutual support networks for families of twins, triplets and multiple births by highlighting their unique needs to all involved with their care.
There is also a TAMBA Twinline, a confidential listening support and information service, whose volunteers are the parents of twins or triplets. The Twinline is 01732 868000 and runs on weekdays from 7 to 11pm, and 10am to 11pm at weekends.
For an information pack, send two first-class stamps to TAMBA, Harnott House, 309 Chester Road, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port CH66 1QQ (0151 348 0020, fax 0151 348 0765, website www.tamba.org.uk).
Portage
Portage is a home-visiting service for pre-school children who have special needs. It is based on the principle that parents are the key figures in the care and development of their child. The Portage home-training scheme was developed in Wisconsin, US, in the early 1970s to meet the needs of young children living in rural communities in an area called Portage. The scheme is different from other educational services for young children for instead of taking children to the service, the service is brought to the children and their families in their own home.
The National Portage Association runs a three- or four-day basic training workshops throughout the country.
Contact Brenda Paul, Administrator, National Portage Association, 127 Monks Dale, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 3JE (01935 471641, Monday and Thursday, 9am to 1pm).
Visual impairment
The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) runs:
* A certificate course for learning support assistants working with children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities. Specific objectives include developing practical skills to facilitate interactive approaches, an understanding of visual impairment and how this affects everyday work in the classroom, and helping assistants to develop the skills essential to become effective members of multidisciplinary teams. The course is offered throughout the UK using RNIB's network of education centres.
Contact your nearest RNIB Education Centre - East, Warwick House, c/o Exhall Grange School, Wheelwright Lane, Ash Green, Coventry CR7 9HP (02476 369500); London and South-east, Garrow House, 190 Kensal Road, London W10 5BT (020 8960 3426); North, Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 2DZ (0113 274 8855); Northern Ireland, 21 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast BT2 8HD (028 9027 8118); Scotland, Dunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP (0131 311 8521); Wales, (02920 450440); West, Hillcrest, Whittington Road, Worcester WR5 2JX (01905 357635, website www.rnib.org.uk).
