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Childhood disability websites

Many organisations provide support and information to families, carers and children with conditions associated with disability.

Health professionals and families have chosen these sites as providing helpful information.

Some of these websites are not Irish. They may contain information on services which may not be available in Ireland. But you may still find the general information and advice useful.

Autistic spectrum disorders, autism

Aspire

Support and information on family education, employment support, social groups, and advocacy for autistic people and their families.

aspireireland.ie

Irish Society for Autism

Information on education, intervention, support, advocacy, counselling, home-based support, research, information and advice for families.

autism.ie

Middletown Centre for Autism

Provides training courses, workshops and education for parents, carers, schools and other professionals.

middletownautism.com

AsIAm

An autism charity providing advice, resources and guidance to autistic people, family members, and community organisations with a focus on inclusivity.

asiam.ie

ADD and ADHD

ADHD Ireland

Support includes a phone and email advice service, information webinars, awareness talks, peer-to-peer support groups for all, self-development and parenting courses, and social and creative events.

adhdireland.ie

Angelman syndrome

Angelman Syndrome Ireland

Provides support and information to individuals and families through advocacy, education and research.

angelman.ie

Brain injury

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI Ireland)

Provides information and an online support forum for parents caring for a child with acquired brain injury.

abiireland.ie

Headway Ireland

Services and supports for adults. You may find Headway useful as your child moves to adult services. Services include family support, training programmes, employment support and day rehabilitation.

headway.ie

Blindness and visual impairment

Vision Ireland

Support and services to people who are blind or vision impaired. Services for children include assessment and intervention plans, support with assistive technology, and transitions such as school and adulthood.

vi.ie

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy Foundation

A US-based charity with an Irish connection. Provides information on work in Ireland and a Facebook support group for families and people with cerebral palsy.

cerebralpalsyfoundation.org/ireland/

This website may have information about services that are not available in Ireland.

Chromosomal

Unique

An international group supporting anyone affected by a rare chromosome disorder or an autosomal dominant single gene disorder.

rarechromo.org

Rare Diseases Ireland

Provides support and information to anyone affected by or at risk of developing genetic or other rare disorders. RDI also facilitates the networking of families and professionals.

rdi.ie

Cleft palate

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Ireland (CLAPAI)

Provides support and information for parents of children affected by cleft lip and palate, as well as for anyone directly affected by the condition.

cleft.ie

Down syndrome

Down Syndrome Ireland

Provides information, resources and support to people with Down syndrome and their families. Branches nationwide also provide services and social opportunities.

downsyndrome.ie

Deaf and hard of hearing

Chime

Provides services, supports and information for people with hearing loss and promotes the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.

chime.ie

Irish Deaf Society

Irish Deaf Society provides education, personal and social services to deaf children, adults and their families.

irishdeafsociety.ie

Dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder

Dyspraxia DCD Ireland

Provides information, services and supports for parents of children with dyspraxia and DCD.

dyspraxia.ie

Fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD)

FASD Ireland

Supports families, carers and individuals affected by FASD and raises awareness of the condition. Also provides a free and confidential support service.

fasdireland.ie

Fragile X syndrome

Irish Fragile X Society

Provides information and resources to support families caring for someone with Fragile X.

fragilexireland.org

Global developmental delay

Contact

Contact is a UK organisation. It provides advice, support and information on global developmental delay, as well as other disabilities and conditions.

This website may have information about services that are not available in Ireland.

contact.org.uk

Hydrocephalus

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI)

Information, support and advice for anyone living with spina bifida or hydrocephalus. SBHI also provides opportunities for respite, support for carers, training and education, as well as social events for its members.

sbhi.ie

Intellectual disability (learning disability)

Inclusion Ireland

Information and support for people with an intellectual disability (learning disability). Inclusion Ireland also campaigns for changes in law and policy.

inclusionireland.ie

Muscular dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI)

Provides services and support for families and people who have muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions. Supports include counselling, family support and equipment loan service.

mdi.ie

Microcephaly

Information about microcephaly from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Microcephaly information - cdc.gov

This website may have information about services that are not available in Ireland.

Prader Willi syndrome

Prader Willi Association Ireland (PWSAI)

Support for persons with PWSI, their families and their carers. Services include seminars and conferences.

pwsai.ie

Rett syndrome

Rett Syndrome Association of Ireland

Association of parents and families of people affected by Rett Syndrome and other related disorders who provide support and information to each other.

rettsyndrome.ie

Spina bifida

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI)

Information, support and advice for anyone living with spina bifida. SBHI also provides opportunities for respite, support for carers, training and education, as well as social events for its members.

sbhi.ie

Spinal injury

Spinal Injuries Ireland

Provides supports and services to anyone with a spinal cord injury. Services include counselling, peer support and community outreach.

spinalinjuries.ie

Spinal muscular atrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI)

Supports people who have muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions. Services include counselling and family supports.

mdi.ie

Turner syndrome

Turner Contact Group Ireland

Information, resources and support for anyone affected by Turner Syndrome

tcgi.ie

Visual impairment

Vision Ireland

The national sight loss agency, which offers support and services to people of all ages who are having difficulties with their eyesight.

vi.ie

Williams syndrome

Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland (WSI)

Supports people with Williams syndrome and their families. Supports include social events for members and information for parents of a child diagnosed with Williams syndrome.

williamssyndrome.ie

Page last reviewed: 29 September 2025
Next review due: 29 September 2028