Come and join us at one of the largest free events for children and young adults with disabilities and special needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.  Over 100 exhibitors! Information on funding, mobility, seating, bathing, transport, communication, transition, moving and handling, continence, sensory, sports, leisure and much more! Sponsored by Leckey. 

To download your visitors FREE entry tickets simply click here.

Additional tickets can be ordered by contacting the Kidz Team (contact details below). Although the tickets are not compulsory they do save time on registration, simply hand in your completed ticket on arrival at the event. The tickets include the timetable for all the FREE CPD seminars (sponsored by DCS Joncare) which will be taking place throughout the day. They also contain the exhibitors list and details of the FREE 'Assessment and Prescription for Special Seating' workshop running alongside the event and so can really help you plan and get the most out of your day.

In view of all the recent government changes, and as funding continues to be a major concern, the 'Kidz Team' have taken a proactive approach and introduced 'The Funding Point' to all our Kidz events.  At The Funding Point area you can access advice and information on alternative funding streams for equipment, respite breaks and care and much more.

For more information or to order additional free entry tickets, contact the organisers:- Disabled Living Tel: 0161 607 8200 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Handsel Project (UK) is pleased to announce two new dates for Sleep Practitioner Training this year. The two-day course is an introduction to the principles of sleep assessment and management. 

•  
  • London - June 10th & 11th 2013
  • Birmingham - October 7th & 8th 2013
  • Special offer for TAC Bulletin readers: A 15% discount if you quote 'TB12/5' when you book.

The training is specifically designed for frontline health/social care practitioners who work with children (with disabilities / special needs and typically developing), and their families, including such public health Practitioners as Health Visitors, Community Children's Nurses and School Nurses. 

This is an opportunity to build upon your existing knowledge and develop best practice in sleep work with these families.

If you are interested in attending the Sleep Practitioner Training, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a booking form and information pack or call 0121 373 2747 

or visit here.

Family stories about sleep deprivation here.

Below are four new research alerts for the April TAC Bulletin Update:

1 When the frequency of contact with adults with ID, the number of individuals worked with and the amount of formal ID training received were considered, there was no significant difference between the attitudes of staff in mainstream and specialist ID services.

Please read further here.

2 Grandmothers of children with autism have different experiences from grandmothers of children who are typically developing. Having a family member with ASD was associated with more flexible family functioning.

Grandmothers felt increased difficulty communicating with their grandchild, giving advice, coping with challenging behaviors, and finding activities to share. They also reported needing more information about the condition.

Please read further here.

3 Physicians identified several barriers to caring for people with ID including lack of accessible education about primary care. They felt overwhelmed, lacked confidence when interacting with patients, and were "driving without a map" (no past experiences to guide them).

Further, physicians were not able to identify helpful resources and expressed anxiety about potential challenging behaviors exhibited by some patients with ID. They also voiced a need for more training and more exposure to and experience in working with people with ID.

Patients with ID agreed with these same ideas. In addition, people with ID felt that they did not always feel heard or respected in the doctor's office.

Please read further here.

4 Mothers and healthy siblings of children with Prader-Willi syndrome experienced a poorer perceived quality of life compared to samples of children with other complex health conditions. Interventions should focus on providing psychosocial support for each member of the family.

They should encompass all aspects of life -- emotional, physical, communication, family dynamics, and personal perceptions of disease.

Please read further here.

HealthMatters Alerts: www.HealthMattersProgram.org