Delegates to the European Academy of Childhood Disability conference, hosted by the University of Edinburgh, will explore the theme of 'From Evidence to Empowerment', debating the whole spectrum of childhood disability.

Around 500 professionals working with children with disability will attend the 16th annual meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability, hosted by Child Life and Health, the University of Edinburgh.

Conference organiser and consultant paediatrician Dr Anne O'Hare said: " We will look at advances in the field of childhood disability, starting with the basic science of cognition, right through to optimising children's environment by protecting them against emotional abuse. Delegates will discuss how we as professionals can make best use of our own learning in order to offer disabled children the most effective help. The conference should point the way forward for us to promote and extend research in all aspects of childhood disability."

She added: "Conference delegates comes from all over Europe to share ideas and learn from each others' research and clinical experience, with the common goal of championing the interests of children and their families who contend with disability. The organisation strives to ensure that the highest quality research is employed to understand how best to prevent impairment, minimise disability, maximise function and improve the quality of life for affected children."

Keynote lectures will include: cell mechanisms of language and learning; genetics, understanding and communication; motor disorders; optimising outcome in prematurity; epilepsy and disability; and non-accidental injury and child protection in childhood disability

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Contact: Linda Menzies
linda.menzies@ed.ac.uk
01-316-506-382
University of Edinburgh
6-Oct-2004