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Children, young people and MS

MS affects the whole family and it can sometimes be difficult to discuss the changes that MS brings with children. For the children of people with MS, it can be difficult to explore their feelings about MS and how it affects them. The following resources can help them realise that they are not alone in the feelings that they may be experiencing at this challenging time of their lives.

MS Trust links

Young Person's Guide To MS
Written with the help of young teenagers, this book looks at the issues that effect someone growing up with a parent who has MS.
Read, order or download the Young Person's Guide To MS
Kids' Guide To MS
Written for 6-10 year olds who have a mum or dad with MS, the Kids' Guide is a book that children can read on their own or with a parent.
Read, order or download the Kids' Guide To MS
My Dad's Got MS
Written for children under 10 by a father with MS, this story provides an introduction to some of the issues and concerns that a young child may have when they discover that their dad has MS. The printed book is now out of print but can still be downloaded.
Download My Dad's Got MS
Talking to children about MS
An Open Door article in which a mother with MS compares how she talks to her son with the way her own parents avoided talking about her mother's MS.

Other sources of information

Young MS website
A site from the MS Society for younger readers with a parent with multiple sclerosis. Has information for both teenagers and younger children
Keep Smyelin
A site for younger readers which mixes games and jokes with information about MS and children's own stories. Part of the American National MS Society website
MS info 4 kids
Mostly information based website for children affected by MS. Provided by the Australian MS Society

For information for young carers, see the Care page