Birth defects Opens with the sad statistic that 124 babies are born with a birth defect every day in the uk. Charity aiming to fund medical research and provide support for families. Helpline, which may be particularly useful for those who have just received a test result that they are worried about.

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association Cleft Lip and Palate Association. Another commendably clear site. Great questions and answers page that pulls no punches on the problems likely to be encountered, but offers advice on how to overcome them. Helpful section on feeding a baby with this condition. Good links to other helpful sites.

Down's Syndrome Association An excellent, easy to use site, full of useful stuff. Has everything from how to hook up with a local group to who to talk to about pre-natal screening. Also info on campaigning issues, events, education and a full page dispelling some of the common myths about Downs Syndrome.

Essential Aids This site offers a wide range of products useful for parents caring for children with special needs. The extensive paediatric section includes adapted kitchenware, bathing and toileting aids, mobility devices, play and sensory motor aids.

www.he-special.org.uk An online community of families who Home Educate children with Special Educational Needs. Visit the web site for information and articles about Home Education. If you are Home Educating a child with SENs you are invited to join the discussion mailing list.

Mambic Mambic is an organisation based in Brussels, Belgium which offers confidential, personal support for parents, teachers and carers of children with emotional or behavioural problems or learning difficulties. It offers help in the way of a comprehensive procedure which involves an assessment, report, implementation and evaluation report and charges no fee, instead requesting a contribution towards expenses.

National Autistic Society (NAS) The NAS website contains a wealth of information about autism and Asperger syndrome, particularly at www.autism.org.uk/infosheets. It details the broad range of help and services offered by the NAS in support of people with autism and Asperger syndrome, parents/carers and the people who work with/for them. The site also carries information on our work in campaigning and lobbying for change and lists a large selection of books and other autism-related material for sale.

Parnership WIth Parents although it is primarily for parents of kids in Kent, the leaflets available on this link are useful for any parent who is struggling to get obtain a Statement of Additional/Educational Needs.

Peach (Parents for the Early Intervention of Autism) PEACH offers support, advice and information to parents of children with autism. The advice we give is varied and includes getting a diagnosis, SEN statementing process, school exclusions and all topics relating to autism in young children. We also offer a teaching programme for children with autism called Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

Samuel's World A hands on website run by a mum with a special needs child with Tourettes Syndrome, OCD, Aspergers. The site is useful for all families/carers with children upon the Autistic Spectrum. It offers a support forum for parents and siblings, lots of advice/hints and tips and reviews on books/ resources and days out.

Scope The site to visit if you need information, help or advice on cerebral palsy. Articles on pregnancy and childbirth by mothers who have cp, as well as info on education, experimental and conventional treatments. The search function is limited and we didn't find anything specifically about dealing with a baby or toddler with cp, but there's a lively noticeboard and a helpline. What's more the site gives the impression that, whatever your query, there'll be someone out there with sympathetic, practical and helpful advice.

Sense Toys SenseToys' online shop has a range of toys, activities and Montessori materials to make learning fun and rewarding for all children but especially those with special educational needs, learning disabilities or delayed language development, autism and other spectrum disorders. Each product comes with advice on how to assist children to develop and maximise their learning potential through play. SenseToys is run by parents, for other parents, teachers, therapists and specialists.

SNAP Childcare SNAP Childcare is a specialist recruitment agency that places nannies and carers just babies, children & young adults with additional needs (and their siblings!). We offer a nationwide service and can provide nannies & carers who have a wide range of experience including Makaton & BSL signing, tube feeding, speech, occupational and physio therapy, Conductive Education and specific behavioural programmes, such as Lovaas/VB/ABA