Children and stroke
If you have a child that has been affected by stroke, we are here to provide information and support.
Stroke can happen to anyone of any age, even children and babies, yet there is currently low awareness of this and diagnosis can often be slow.
Stroke tends to happen for different reasons in children than adults, but often the outlook for recovery is better. New treatments are always being researched and support networks are available.
Children can also be very affected by a stroke happening to someone close to them; stroke can turn whole families upside-down and we also offer our support to children in this situation.
If you would like personal assistance, please call our Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 or email info@stroke.org.uk
Our services
Our Life After Stroke Information, Advice and Support Services (sometimes known as Family and Carer Support) are available in many areas of the UK and may be able to provide advice and support for families with a child affected by stroke.
These services are free to individuals and their families as they are paid for by local health or social services authorities.
Unfortunately, not all authorities pay for the services, so they are only available in certain areas. Find out if this service is available in your area.
Our publications
We also provide a couple of information factsheets about children and stroke.
Support networks
You might want to talk to other parents in a similar situation.
Child Stroke Support Site - a UK-based support group set up by parents of children who have had a stroke or AVM
Sickle Cell and Young Stroke Survival - a London-based charity supporting children and young people and their families who are affected by sickle cell disease and stroke.
Other information
- Every year our Life After Stroke Awards features the story of a child or young person who has shown tremendous courage following a stroke. Visit the LASA section of our website for more information and to read stories of previous winners.
- The Royal College of Physicians provides a childhood stroke factsheet for parents and families called Care after stroke in childhood.
- Read the Royal College of Physicians clinical guidelines for medical professionals.
- Great Ormond Street Hospital also provides a factsheet called Stroke in children: Information for families
- Study of outcome in childhood stroke website - A research project funded by The Stroke Association and co-ordinated at the Institute of Child Life and Health, University of Bristol.
- To improve awareness and the treatment and support available for stroke-affected children, The Stroke Association has made childhood stroke one of its lobbying priorities in our 2010-15 Manifesto – download the manifesto and see page 14.
This area of our website is currently under construction and we would welcome any feedback and ideas as to how we might make it more useful for you. Please email us at info@stroke.org.uk
