Many parents find attending local support groups invaluable. Don't take our word for it, listen to some parents talking about what it means to them.

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Mae llawer o rieni yn gwerthfawrogi mynychu grwpiau cefnogi rhieni, allen nhw fod yn grwp lleol i bob un mynychu neu, grwp cenedlaethol sy'n cefnogi cyflwr penodol. Cliciwch yma i wrando ar brofiad rhiant o mynychu grwp cefnogi lleol. Mae'r recordiad yma yn Gymraeg.

Many parents find it invaluable to attend support groups whether they are a local group for anyone to attend or a national group who support a specific condition. Click here to listen to a parent's experience of attending a local support group. This recording is in Welsh.

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A mother discusses her experience of having one of her twins diagnosed with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

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Read more medical information on Hydrocephalus

Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency is an uncommon condition which occurs before a baby is born. The condition affects the bones in the lower limbs including the hip, knee and thigh bones. This podcast is a mother’s experience of having a son with the condition.

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Read more medical information on Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency

A mother and father discuss their experience of the process of diagnosis for their child with Pitt Hopkins syndrome. Pitt Hopkins is a rare genetic condition characterised by severe learning disability, breathing abnormalities and characteristic facial features.

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This podcast features a mothers experience of having a child with an undiagnosed condition and challenging behaviour.

Many families have children with special needs whose medical condition is often never diagnosed. This can make it difficult for the family to access information, support and services. Challenging behaviour can be a feature of many different conditions and it can vary from emotional to physical difficulties.

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Employment and Support Allowance came into effect in the UK at the end of 2008.

In this podcast one of Contact a Family's advisers provides more information about this benefit.

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This podcast is a father’s experience of having a child with TAR Syndrome.

In Thrombocytopenia and Absent Radius there are low platelets and absence of the radius on both sides (bilaterally). The radius and the ulna are the two bones in the forearm. The radius is the bone that is on the side of the forearm where the thumb is. There may be other bones involved as well but the unique feature of Thrombocytopenia and Absent Radius is that although the radius is absent, the thumb is present.

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This podcast is a mother’s experience of having a child with Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a congenital disorder involving the brain, skin and eyes.

There is a facial birth mark (port wine stain), a layer of blood vessels over the covering of the brain (venous angioma of the leptomeninges) and there may be an angioma (collections of abnormal blood vessels) involving the inner lining of the eye (choroidal angioma). The angioma usually involves one side of the brain and varies in extent. More rarely it may involve both sides of the brain.

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This podcast is a mother’s experience of having a child with Bladder Exstrophy and Epispadias.

The exstrophy epispadias complex is a spectrum of disorders ranging in severity from epispadias through bladder exstrophy to cloacal exstrophy. All three and their variants are rare congenital abnormalities, which affects boys more frequently than girls.

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This podcast briefly explains the meaning of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and other related terms like SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator).

We explain what to do if you are concerned that your child has SEN and what schools and the local authority can do to help.

The podcast also has more information about how to request a ‘statutory assessment’ and the ‘statementing’ process, what this means, how to make sure any provision best meets your child’s needs, and what to do if you are unhappy or want to appeal against a decision.

This podcast focuses on the Special Educational Needs process in England. Contact a Family produces publications about the process in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Further information on the variations can be obtained by calling our helpline.

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Contact a Family has produced two new podcasts featuring an interview with a mum and dad whose son has Coats Disease.

The interview with the mum features her talking about her experience of having a young son with Coat’s disease. She discusses diagnosis, how she has coped and the effect on family life.

The interview with the dad features him talking about his experiences and he discusses diagnosis, his emotions and the effect on family life.

Interview with mum - Listen to the podcast

Interview with dad - Listen to the podcast

The views expressed in these podcasts are for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. Condition symptoms may vary in type or severity amongst individuals. This podcast is to demonstrate the personal views and experience of this family only. For approved medical information about this condition see the Contact a family website or contact your doctor.

Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance are two benefits that some parents are entitled to claim.

This podcast provides information about these benefits, criteria for claiming them and where to get further information or help in claiming.

Work focused interviews and the Social Fund are mentioned in this podcast. For further details on these topics listen to separate podcasts which are part of this series.

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If you claim certain benefits you may receive a request to attend a work focused interview.

Are you unsure about what this is and why you need to attend?

This podcast provides information on why it is important for you to attend a work focused interview, the consequences of not attending and the general format this interview would take.

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Benefits for young people with disabilities is changing, and it's an important time to get advice about what options are available. This podcast has been created as a short overview of the current rules and to highlight changes ahead.

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Contact a Family has produced a new podcast on the subject of Carer's Allowance.

The podcast explains the main criteria for claiming Carer's Allowance, how to claim it and where to get further support in claiming this benefit.

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Interview with one mum, giving an honest account of having a son with autism, how she got the diagnosis and coped since.

The podcast also highlights additional sources of support which are available to families with disabled children.

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Contact a Family has produced a new podcast on the subject of benefits, tax credits and other financial assistance.

The podcast gives an overview of all the main benefits and tax credits available. It’s part of a new series, which includes a podcast looking at claiming Disability Living Allowance for a child, also available to download and listen to.

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Contact a Family has produced a new podcast on the subject of Disability Living Allowance. Disability Living Allowance is the main benefit for children and adults with a condition or disability.

The podcast explains the two main parts of the benefit and how you can claim Disability Living Allowance.

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Contact a Family organises regular family events including a recent day out to Chessington World of Adventures.

Hear from parents and children who enjoyed this day out to Chessington World of Adventures theme park, organised by our Wandsworth office and find out how events like these can be really useful for families with disabled children or children with additional needs.

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