Learn about childhood dementia
Two courses are now available to help you understand childhood dementia and support the children and families living with it. Whether you have 30 minutes or want to explore in depth, there’s an option to suit you. Both courses are free.
Introduction to Childhood Dementia is a 30-minute course. You’ll learn what childhood dementia is, how it may present, and how it affects children and their families. You’ll also discover simple, practical ways to offer support and communicate with empathy, helping reduce stigma and build more inclusive communities.
Understanding Childhood Dementia is a world-first training created by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (University of Tasmania). It was developed in collaboration with Childhood Dementia Initiative, with support from Dementia Training Australia.
Until now, families living with childhood dementia have often had to train their own care teams, explaining the condition again and again to each new professional or support worker. This free, self-paced online course changes that. It gives care teams a trusted place to learn, so families don’t have to manage this alone.
Introduction to Childhood Dementia
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Online, self-paced
Provider: Dementia Training Australia, in collaboration with Childhood Dementia Initiative
Who it’s for: Anyone wanting to understand childhood dementia and support affected children and families
You’ll explore:
- how dementia can affect people of any age, including children
- what childhood dementia is
- common signs and symptoms
- how childhood dementia may affect children and their families
- communication strategies that reduce stigma
Understanding Childhood Dementia
Duration: Approximately 17 hours
Format: Online, self-paced
Provider: Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, in collaboration with Childhood Dementia Initiative
Who it’s for: Health professionals, policymakers, educators, support workers, families, friends and carers
You’ll explore:
- the symptoms, conditions and diagnosis
- the way dementia affects the developing brain
- the genetics involved
- living with childhood dementia
- research and advocacy
