Resources to help me understand my child's stroke
Click here for information about perinatal and neonatal (new born babies) stroke.
Our childhood stroke factsheet includes useful information for parents and carers. Click here for information about childhood stroke.
You can also find out more by visiting these pages:
- What is childhood stroke?
- Diagnosing and treating childhood stroke.
- How will my child recover?
- Getting support after a childhood stroke.
- Returning to school after stroke.
- Useful tips for you and your family.
Our childhood stroke question and answer sheets can help you to think about questions to ask at health appointments and when your child starts or returns to education. These have been developed through working with parents and professionals:
- Questions to ask at neurology appointments.
- Questions to ask when looking for therapy services or attending therapy appointments.
- Questions to ask when your child starts or returns to school.
Lily-Mae had a stroke at the age of 7. Here Lily-Mae's parents speak of their personal experience and give an account of the problems parents face when dealing with childhood stroke.
We've also developed a small medical information card for use by children after a stroke here.
We know that childhood stroke changes the lives of children and their families in an instant. That's why our dedicated Childhood Stroke Support team is here: to support you with practical information on a wide range of topics and emotional support, whenever you need us.
You can get support by filling out a simple form here and we'll get in touch.
If you'd like to know more about the Childhood Stroke Support Service you can read our information leaflet or download an introductory card with our contact details.
Family and parent-led organisations
- My Child had A Stroke - a Facebook group led by parents of children who have had a stroke. The group has over 1000 members who share experiences and offer one another vital peer support and useful practical tips. The group are fantastic advocates for stroke in childhood. They've been instrumental in shaping and co-producing our Childhood Stroke Support service.
- Hemihelp - is a UK charity helpling families living with Hemiplegia.
Resources for parents
- Acquired Brain Injury in Children: A Parents' Handbook - a comprehensive guide from The Children's Trust.
- The International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke has a range of resources and publications about childhood stroke.
- A Stroke Can Happen at Any Age by the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke is a video made to raise awareness that stroke happens to infants, children and even before birth.
Education and advocacy
- IAS Services - offers information, advice and support for disabled children, young people, parents, and those with special educational needs. You can check here if there is a service in your area.
- IPSEA - an organisation that offers legal advice, support, and training for parents around Special Educational Needs.
- Council for Disabled Children - a national umbrella body that brings together a diverse range of organisations that work with and for disabled children, to support the development and implementation of policy and practice.
- SOS!SEN - an organisation that offers information and advice on special educational needs and disability through a national helpline and local walk-in SEN advice centres.
- Statutory guidance on supporting children at school with medical conditions - includes examples of care plans.
- Visit our returning to school after a stroke webpage for information and useful tips.