Special Needs Children Guide
The term special needs children encompasses a wide variety of diagnosis that include mild learning disabilities to profound mental retardation. Various types of food allergies, terminal illness and developmental delays may all cause a child to have special needs. Additionally, panic attacks and various psychiatric problems may also result in additional care being needed for a child making this child one of many special needs children.
Special needs children are very commonly defined as what a child can’t do such as milestones that are not met in the appropriate time frame or not at all, foods that cannot be eaten, activities that must be avoided or certain other experiences that must be denied from the child as a result of injury, mental disorder or other medical condition. Some children who have special needs will have conditions that progress and become worse over time while others may triumph over time and no longer have special needs as they grow.
Special Needs Children with Medical Issues
Some special needs children will have serious medical conditions that cause the special needs such as cancer, heart defects or cystic fibrosis. Various chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes or various other medication conditions may also result in a child being considered a special needs child. Some of the special needs that may accompany children with special medical needs include the use of expensive equipment, wheelchair, and other special accommodations for disabilities. Families of special needs children with medical issues may deal with lots of uncertainty and worry as well as crisis.
Special Needs Children with Behavioral Issues
Certain types of behavioral issues such as ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, tourette syndrome and disruptive behaviors can result in a child being considered “special needs.” These children will not respond to traditional discipline and may require additional therapy, counseling and medication in order to function in a normal classroom or household. Specialized strategies must be taken in order to get these special needs children to effectively work in social and family environments. These types of special needs children are also at a serious risk of school problems and can cause chaos in their families.
Special Needs Children with Developmental Issues
Some special needs children will be marked “special needs” due to a developmental milestone not being attained. This type of special needs characterization is difficult for families to cope with and may result in immediate difficulty in caring for a child. Autism, Down Syndrome and various forms of mental retardation are all considered developmental issues for special needs children. Various services, therapy and schooling are offered for children with developmental issues and these special needs children can be provided a shot at mainstream life with the assistance of their parents and counselors.
Special Needs Children with Learning Issues
Learning disabilities such as dyslexia can cause a child to be labeled special needs. These learning disabilities make it difficult for a child to perform in a regular classroom setting and they may need additional help regardless of their actual intellectual ability. Specialized teaching strategies must be used to teach these children with special needs in order to help them to avoid self esteem problems and various behavioral problems. Parents of special needs children who have learning disabilities must be persistent in working with their children despite a reluctance to learn or other problems that the child may have.
Special Needs Children with Mental Health Issues
Children who have certain mental health issues such as anxiety or depression may also be labeled special needs children. Children with mental health issues can cause various problems for families and may need specialized teaching at school. Mood swings and other problems can make teaching children with mental disorders difficult. These special needs children may require hospitalization, medication and even therapy in order to effectively function in everyday situations.
